One of the main issues we’ve argued here on Senshot over the last few weeks is the pressing need to extend Drake Batherson ASAP.
Yes, there is a clear need to lock up one of the franchise’s top offensive players. But beyond the evident need to keep a crucial piece in the fold, there is another interesting factor to consider.
On September 16, the NHL’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) will come into force. When it does, it will change a major provision. Teams re-signing own players will only be able to lock them p for seven years, instead of eight.
That’s about three weeks away.
If the Senators move now, they can still lock up Batherson for eight years. Once September 16 rolls around, the team won’t be able to get the current eight-year deal.
Now, you might think that one additional season is no big deal.
But insofar as contracts go, one extra season can go a long way towards keeping cap hits down.
That was the main reason why the Vegas Golden Knights agreed to the sign-and-trade deal for Mitch Marner last summer. Vegas could have just waited for Marner to hit free agency and sign him then. But that would have limited the Golden Knights to just seven years. And that would have meant a higher cap hit for the organization.
Signing Marner to eight years instead of seven helped Vegas keep the cap hit at $12 million.
That’s why having that eighth year makes so much sense for the Senators. Batherson can still get paid, whilst maintaining a more manageable cap hit over the long run.
One year could make major difference for Batherson and the Senators
The latest rumblings have posited that Batherson is looking for a deal similar to the one Alex Tuch got in Washington. Tuch signed for eight years at $10.5 million per season. So, if we assume that $84 million is what’s going to get this extension done, the only thing that would change would be the term.
At eight years, $84 million works out to $10.5 million. That’s a high cap hit, but not as high if the deal were seven years. At seven years, the cap hit jumps $12 million per season.
Again, $1.5 million per season may not seem like a great deal. But when you look at how tight the cap can get, even a million can make a substantial difference in a team’s cap management strategy.
Short-term deal could be the way forward
The previous argument highlights why the Senators would want to lock up Batherson long term. It’s just better for the organization.
For Batherson, a short-term deal might be his preferred path. The idea of signing a short-term contract would be most appealing as it would give him another shot a big payday when the cap rises once down the line.
So, don’t be surprised if the Senators have no choice but to bite the bullet, and sign Batherson to a four or five-year deal around the $10.5 million mark. As the cap continues to rise, stars like Batherson, who will be in the early 30s in about four or five years, could get one more shot at a much more lucrative multi-year deal.
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