Drake Batherson re-signs with Senators on six-year, $29.85 million contract

Right winger Drake Batherson won't be playing for a different team next NHL season. 

According to the official NHL website, Batherson has re-signed with the Ottawa Senators on a six-year contract that is worth $29.85 million and carries an average annual value of $4.975 million. The 23-year-old was a restricted free agent this summer. 

The Senators' website offered additional information on the deal: 

• 2021-22: $2.5 million
• 2022-23: $3.5 million
• 2023-24: $5.4 million 
• 2024-25: $5.4 million
• 2025-26: $6.5 million
• 2026-27: $6.55 million

Batherson appeared in 56 regular-season games for Ottawa last season and, per ESPN stats, finished tied for second on the team with 17 goals and fourth with 34 points. He led the Senators with 10 power-play assists. 

"Drake represents an integral component of our future at forward," Ottawa general manager Pierre Dorion said for the prepared statement. "Dating to his first pro season, he has steadily progressed to the point where he is now widely recognized as a bona fide top line NHL winger. He possesses a strong ability to play at both ends of the ice, is a key power-play contributor and someone we expect to be a prominent player for us for several years to come." 

Batherson has been only with the Senators organization since the franchise selected him in the fourth round of the 2017 draft. He's thus far played in 99 career NHL regular-season contests and accumulated 23 goals and 30 assists.