One of the more high-profile forwards from the 2017 draft class remains unsigned.
Drake Batherson, who is one of the key members of the Ottawa Senators' current core, is up for a contract extension. And the time to get an eight-year deal done is running low; teams only have until tomorrow to sign extension-eligible players to the maximum eight-year term before that comes down to seven. That change in term limits easily influences a contract's AAV and, by extension, how much a team will have to pony up to keep a star player.
As it stands, the Senators and Batherson are working on an eight-year extension, but there is the chance that Batherson opts for six or seven years. That contract could also fall in the $10 million per year range; even though Batherson could ask for Tuch's $10.5 million, that is still relatively close to what is being projected.
It is worth noting that the two sides might very well remain a ways apart in negotiations. And Batherson doesn't want to talk contract during the season; with the Senators set to report to camp on Wednesday, that could mean that Batherson's future becomes a significant topic of discussion throughout the season.
Even then, there is optimism surrounding the fact that it will get done.
What if things go south?
While unlikely at this point, things could still deteriorate in terms of contract length or if Batherson's contract status becomes a distraction throughout the season. At that point, the Senators might have to consider dealing Batherson to avoid losing him for free. I previously hinted at this possibility while previewing the Atlantic Division; though it seems the gulf isn't as large now, there is always the chance things break down at the last possible minute.
If a star forward like Batherson were to be on the trade block, then I can guarantee you that at least half the league would be calling Ottawa.
Enter the Edmonton Oilers
The big question: "Where is the money coming from?"
The Edmonton Oilers only have $1 million in cap space, and Batherson's current cap hit is almost $5 million. While that is good news for this coming campaign, the Oilers are only set to hold $25 million in cap space heading into the next season. A Batherson extension would almost certainly take up at least a third of that number, leaving the Oilers in a not-so-great position to try and sign pending RFAs Matt Savoie and Josh Samanski, or even to make moves to reinforce the roster.
That's not even considering the fact that Connor McDavid is likely next to be paid.
That said, that's not exactly the worst possible financial position to be in over the next two seasons, especially considering that most of the core is locked up into the next decade. And unless Batherson were to be traded tomorrow (we've seen more spontaneous trades pop up out of nowhere), the Oilers would only have to deal with a low-double digit AAV for up to seven years.
What about the return?
Despite the lack of draft capital, I think it would be a little more feasible than one might think.
Obviously, the Oilers would have to include a first-round pick or two (they have their own picks in 2028 and 2029). Maybe a mid-round pick or two, but they probably would be able to get away without doing so.
Then, they'd have to package at least two forwards. One of the forwards would lean to the younger side to allow Ottawa to have options for the future, while another would have to give the Senators a chance to maintain their "compete now" stance.
In terms of the younger forwards, Savoie and Samanski could become options if required, while much of the farm system save for Quinn Hutson would be up for discussion.
With regard to the "compete now" options, one could see the Senators taking a second chance on Mathieu Joseph; he did record 65 points in 139 games since arriving in Canada's capital from Tampa Bay.
Vasily Podkolzin, who recorded 37 points in 82 games last season, could be an option, but it feels likelier that the team would opt to include a bottom-six option than a potential member of the future core.
In all, you have a trade that would allow the Oilers to significantly reinforce the middle-six (Batherson recorded 71 points in 79 games last season) and the Senators to focus on revamping the forward group in an effort to fill another massive hole.
Again, there is always the chance that Batherson remains in Ottawa.
But with little time left before the Senators cannot offer an eight-year deal, the momentum surrounding Batherson's contract status could push him out the door.
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