At the 2017 NHL Draft, the Ottawa Senators were still recovering emotionally from their heartbreaking Game 7 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Eastern Conference Finals. However, attention to detail was very important to select the right players at the draft.
The Senators made four selections at the 2017 NHL Draft. One of the four selections was in the fourth round when the Senators selected Drake Batherson with the 121st overall pick.
For being a fourth-round draft pick, Batherson has exceeded expectations in Ottawa. Batherson was a major reason why the Senators made the 2025 playoffs, but there's a deeper look to show how underrated and underappreciated Batherson has become in the NHL in Ottawa.
Batherson's production as a member of the 2017 draft class is solid
In his NHL career, Batherson has recorded 293 points. For a fourth-round draft pick, 293 points is impressive for a player that was drafted eight years ago. However, there's a deeper look to show Batherson's production in his career.
Batherson's career point total is the eighth most among the entire 2017 draft class. Six of the seven players ahead of Batherson were selected in the first round in 2017.
The seven players who have recorded more points than Batherson from the 2017 draft class:
Elias Pettersson (457 points)
Cale Makar (424 points)
Nico Hischier (422 points)
Robert Thomas (396 points)
Jason Robertson (394 points)
Nick Suzuki (375 points)
Martin Necas (325 points)
Batherson's 116 career goals has him tied with Makar for the sixth most among the 2017 draft class. Batherson's 117 career assists has him ninth among the 2017 draft class.
Since first playing in Ottawa, Batherson has grown into an important player on the roster and a fan favorite. Batherson's game first got recognized when he became an All-Star for the first time in his career in 2022. Over the past three seasons is where Batherson's game has gone underappreciated with the Senators.
Batherson has recorded three consecutive 60-point seasons. In the 2024-25 season, Batherson recorded a career year to help the Senators end their eight-year playoff drought.
Batherson recorded two new career highs for a single season with 42 assists and 68 points. Batherson finished second on the Senators in goals and points during the season, and also finished third on the Senators in assists.
Although he had some struggles during the Senators' first round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Batherson scored the Senators' first goal of the 2025 playoffs.
Batherson will continue to be relied on deeply by the Senators for the upcoming 2025-26 season. If Batherson delivers with another solid season, he can potentially become more of a bigger name in the NHL among forwards. Batherson has already turned into one of the biggest draft steals in Senators history.