In this episode of Sens Nation, the official Ottawa Senators podcast of The Hockey News, Drake Batherson reportedly wants the maximum eight-year commitment from the Senators, and with the NHL’s new CBA rules looming, there’s suddenly an important early bird deadline.
Steve and Gregg discuss what Batherson could command, the idea of paying him into his late 30s, and whether his desire to make Ottawa his long-term home should put him in the conversation to become the Senators’ next captain.
Plus, The Hockey News redrafts the 2020 NHL Draft and Jake Sanderson and Tim Stützle go 1-2. What would Ottawa’s incredible 2020 draft look like if it were held again today? How do Brock Faber and Seth Jarvis sound?
The guys also debate whether the Senators have enough scoring, they disagree strongly on whether Alexis Lafrenière could be a worthwhile target, and where Ridly Greig and Warren Foegele fit in the lineup.
Plus, we answer our first listener voicemail about the timeline for a new Senators arena at LeBreton Flats and discuss Chris Neil’s interesting comments about Brady Tkachuk’s new role in Florida.
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00:00 Welcome to Sens Nation
04:15 Sanderson Goes No. 1 in a 2020 NHL Redraft
08:10 Would the Senators Take a Chance on Alexis Lafrenière?
13:50 Do the Senators Have Enough Goal Scoring?
17:35 Drake Batherson Wants an Eight-Year Deal
22:25 Should Batherson Be in the Captaincy Conversation?
25:10 Sens Nation Sponsors
28:15 Voicemail: When Will the New Senators Arena Actually Open?
34:30 Chris Neil on Brady Tkachuk’s Role in Florida
39:55 How Will Tkachuk Fit With the Panthers?
44:05 Is Ridly Greig Overrated?
47:15 Could Warren Foegele Get a Shot on the Top Line?
49:30 Listener Comments & Wrap-Up
Sens can’t blow up the salary structure for Batherson. Even if he deserves $10 mil in this market, he can be replaced. Try sending him to Chicago for Bertuzzi, one of their top prospects and a first next season. Hawks have three number ones next year. Bert has two years left at $5.5 mil and scored 30 goals this past season.
What about the Ottawa senators from the past before this franchise!
I think you boys are under valuing Greig. He is a great middle six Swiss army knife of a player.
I was hoping the team would find a complimentary middle six offensive play driver to compliment Grieg/Pinto/Cozens/Foegle and help with the finishing for those lines.
Maybe it is burakovsky or Haltunnen out if camp.
Hope for a big jump from Zetterlund and really hope Eklund matches well with Stutzle's speed.
23:00 Batherson is great but HARD NO lol