Latest news with #Batherson
Ottawa Citizen
an hour ago
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Batherson hoping for bigger role with PWHL Frost
With the Professional Women's Hockey League expansion draft over, Mae Batherson can now focus on preparing for another season with the two-time defending champion Minnesota Frost. Article content The rookie defender was an interested observer as the PWHL's newest franchises, Seattle and Vancouver, stocked up on talent for their inaugural 2025-26 season. Article content Article content The 24-year-old was prepared for any outcome during the expansion draft that added the West Coast teams to existing franchises Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, New York and Boston. Article content Article content 'I think expansion is a really exciting time for the league and women's hockey itself, just to spread out and show our talent and be supported throughout North America,' said Batherson, a New Minas native. 'I'd been happy to land on any team if they had chosen me.' Article content Batherson is excited to remain with the Frost and move up the depth chart after the team lost high-scoring defenders Claire Thompson and Sophie Jacques to Vancouver in the exclusive signing window that was held before the expansion draft. Article content Article content 'I think I have a really exciting opportunity to possibly go back there and play a bigger role,' she said. 'My short-term goal for next season is to be an impact player and elevate my game, especially offensively, not be as reserved and play as hesitant as maybe I was in my first year.' Article content Batherson was selected by Minnesota in the sixth round of the 2024 PWHL draft after a stellar NCAA career with Syracuse. She collected three assists in 25 games and led all rookies with a plus-13 rating. Article content Article content Batherson said she benefited from playing alongside winning veterans like Thompson and Jacques. Article content Article content 'I was really excited at the opportunity to play with all those players. They had all known what it takes to win and have been very experienced in a lot of Olympic games and world championships, national championships,' said Batherson. Article content 'Playing your first year pro is always tough and I think I learned a lot as a player. I had some veterans that I was lucky to learn from and play with and the coaches were really D-focused. I had never been coached as much as I was especially in practices. I think it showed as the season went on that I could be relied on in all situations.' Article content Being a part of Minnesota's second straight championship run was a thrill and a valuable learning experience for Batherson. She dressed for Game 1 of the championship series with the Ottawa Charge but didn't see the ice.
Vancouver Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
If the Ottawa Senators trade Drake Batherson, they'd have to get a strong return
What does a trade involving Drake Batherson look like? 'If you're going to move him, it had better be for a lot,' former league executive Doug MacLean said over the phone from his home in Prince Edward Island on Wednesday morning. 'We're talking a good player here, a really good player who has had a lot of success.' It once would have been unthinkable that the Senators would consider moving the 27-year-old winger. Still, with the National Hockey League Combine taking place this week in Buffalo, there has been no shortage of talk that the club is listening to teams interested in Batherson. Whether the talks that Senators president of hockey operations and general manager Steve Staios is having will lead to action remains to be seen. The fact that the Senators are considering it means the club wants to continue to change its mix up front. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Staios struck at the club's core by dealing centre Josh Norris to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for pivot Dylan Cozens at the NHL trade deadline in March. Listening is a large part of Staios' job, but whether the talk turns to action with Batherson remains to be seen. The Senators made the playoffs for the first time in eight years this spring, but they struggled mightily to score this year and were last in the league in five-on-five offence. The Senators have been linked to Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson because the club was eliminated in the Western Conference final last week and has a cap crunch. League executives say the Stars haven't shown any interest in moving Robertson and there haven't been any talks. If the Sens do move Batherson, who had 26 goals and 68 points in 82 games last season, the club will need to bring back a big piece. League executives say the Senators have been studying the market for a right-shot defenceman because of the uncertainty surrounding veteran Nick Jensen. League sources say Jensen, 34, is believed to have played through a hip ailment for the second half of the season and had surgery last month in New York City. There is no timeline for his return, but it's almost a certainty he won't be ready for camp in September. The Senators could move Tyler Kleven to the right side to start the year, but they'd still need to add depth. Since we don't know when Jensen will play, that's why Staios may be scouring that market. To get a good player, you have to give up something in return. Batherson is a good player and that may be a tough pill for the organization to swallow, which is why he could indeed be back next season. He has two years left on a deal that pays him $4.975 million US per season. Yes, Batherson has bouts with inconsistency — what player doesn't? — but he just posted his third straight season with more than 20 goals. Fabian Zetterlund would get more ice if the Senators don't bring back a forward in a potential deal involving Batherson. MacLean said if the Senators are serious about dealing Batherson, they'd have to make a trade similar to the one that saw Cutter Gauthier traded to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Jamie Drysdale and a first-round pick. The Flyers were able to get a good return, but general manager Daniel Briere was in a difficult position because Gauthier had indicated he had no intention of signing with Philadelphia. The Senators are dealing from a position of strength because they don't have to trade Batherson. He has been a good soldier for the organization and has shown improvement, but it's fair to say his performance in the playoffs against the Toronto Maple Leafs left a lot to be desired. We've learned from Staios since he took over the GM's duties Dec. 31, 2023, that he doesn't rush into anything. He let the emotions of the playoffs wear off before sitting down to do a deep dive with coach Travis Green and what the club needs. All 32 teams are represented in Buffalo and Staois is among those holding discussions with other teams to see what the trade landscape looks like. He's expected to address the Ottawa media on Friday before the Senators Alumni charity golf tournament being held at the Canadian. Staios doesn't tip his hand on much, but Postmedia reported last week that he was expected to sit down with Claude Giroux's agent Pat Brisson this week in Buffalo to try to get a contract in place. League executives say Giroux, 37, doesn't have much interest in playing anywhere else next season and they expect he'll get a deal done with the Senators. They expect the only way that wouldn't happen is if the two sides can't agree on money. bgarrioch@
Calgary Herald
6 days ago
- Business
- Calgary Herald
If the Ottawa Senators trade Drake Batherson, they'd have to get a strong return
Article content Yes, Batherson has bouts with inconsistency — what player doesn't? — but he just posted his third straight season with more than 20 goals. Fabian Zetterlund would get more ice if the Senators don't bring back a forward in a potential deal involving Batherson. Article content MacLean said if the Senators are serious about dealing Batherson, they'd have to make a trade similar to the one that saw Cutter Gauthier traded to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Jamie Drysdale and a first-round pick. Article content The Flyers were able to get a good return, but general manager Daniel Briere was in a difficult position because Gauthier had indicated he had no intention of signing with Philadelphia. Article content The Senators are dealing from a position of strength because they don't have to trade Batherson. He has been a good soldier for the organization and has shown improvement, but it's fair to say his performance in the playoffs against the Toronto Maple Leafs left a lot to be desired. Article content Article content We've learned from Staios since he took over the GM's duties Dec. 31, 2023, that he doesn't rush into anything. He let the emotions of the playoffs wear off before sitting down to do a deep dive with coach Travis Green and what the club needs. Article content All 32 teams are represented in Buffalo and Staois is among those holding discussions with other teams to see what the trade landscape looks like. Article content He's expected to address the Ottawa media on Friday before the Senators Alumni charity golf tournament being held at the Canadian. Article content Staios doesn't tip his hand on much, but Postmedia reported last week that he was expected to sit down with Claude Giroux's agent Pat Brisson this week in Buffalo to try to get a contract in place. Article content
Ottawa Citizen
6 days ago
- Business
- Ottawa Citizen
If the Ottawa Senators trade Drake Batherson, they'd have to get a strong return
Article content What does a trade involving Drake Batherson look like? Article content 'If you're going to move him, it had better be for a lot,' former league executive Doug MacLean said over the phone from his home in Prince Edward Island on Wednesday morning. 'We're talking a good player here, a really good player who has had a lot of success.' Article content Article content It once would have been unthinkable that the Senators would consider moving the 27-year-old winger. Still, with the National Hockey League Combine taking place this week in Buffalo, there has been no shortage of talk that the club is listening to teams interested in Batherson. Article content Article content Whether the talks that Senators president of hockey operations and general manager Steve Staios is having will lead to action remains to be seen. The fact that the Senators are considering it means the club wants to continue to change its mix up front. Article content Article content Staios struck at the club's core by dealing centre Josh Norris to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for pivot Dylan Cozens at the NHL trade deadline in March. Article content Listening is a large part of Staios' job, but whether the talk turns to action with Batherson remains to be seen. The Senators made the playoffs for the first time in eight years this spring, but they struggled mightily to score this year and were last in the league in five-on-five offence. Article content The Senators have been linked to Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson because the club was eliminated in the Western Conference final last week and has a cap crunch. League executives say the Stars haven't shown any interest in moving Robertson and there haven't been any talks. Article content Article content If the Sens do move Batherson, who had 26 goals and 68 points in 82 games last season, the club will need to bring back a big piece. League executives say the Senators have been studying the market for a right-shot defenceman because of the uncertainty surrounding veteran Nick Jensen. Article content Article content League sources say Jensen, 34, is believed to have played through a hip ailment for the second half of the season and had surgery last month in New York City. There is no timeline for his return, but it's almost a certainty he won't be ready for camp in September. Article content The Senators could move Tyler Kleven to the right side to start the year, but they'd still need to add depth. Since we don't know when Jensen will play, that's why Staios may be scouring that market. To get a good player, you have to give up something in return. Article content Batherson is a good player and that may be a tough pill for the organization to swallow, which is why he could indeed be back next season. He has two years left on a deal that pays him $4.975 million US per season.
Calgary Herald
03-06-2025
- Business
- Calgary Herald
Teams eyeing Ottawa Senators winger Drake Batherson as trade talk heats up
Article content The calendar has turned to June, and the trade discussions around the National Hockey League have started to heat up. Article content The Ottawa Senators made the playoffs for the first time in eight years this spring, but that doesn't mean Steve Staios, the club's president of hockey operations and general manager, will sit still in the off-season. Article content League executives told Postmedia the Senators have been scouring the market for scoring help after the club averaged 2.67 goals per game last season and finished ranked No. 18 in scoring in 82 games. Article content Article content The talk in league circles is that the Senators would like to acquire a proven top-six forward who can score either through a trade or on the unrestricted free agent market. Article content Article content 'Those aren't easy to find,' a league executive said last week. 'The teams that have those players want to keep them, and the ones available in free agency will come at a high price.' Article content We're also told the club is looking for a right-shot defenceman because veteran Nick Jensen is believed to have had hip surgery last month, which will require a lengthy recovery. There is no timeline for his return, but by all accounts, he won't be ready to start the regular season. Three league executives say a name to keep an eye on with the National Hockey League draft set for June 28-29 is winger Drake Batherson. There was talk at the trade deadline in March that the Senators were listening on Batherson, and his name has surfaced on the market again. Article content Article content Batherson, 27, has two years left on a deal that pays him $4.975 million US per season. He finished with 26 goals and 68 points in 82 games with the Senators last season, but we're led to believe some within the organization are frustrated with his lack of consistency. Article content Article content But it would be fair to say that the Senators will proceed with caution where Batherson is concerned because his contributions shouldn't be ignored, and someone with more production may come at a high price, so this file is a slippery slope for Staios. Article content Batherson posted only one goal and one assist in the club's first-round series loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs in six games in the spring. But it was Batherson's third straight season with more than 20 goals, which is why he's an attractive option for teams that are seeking help. Article content Batherson initially had good chemistry with centre Dylan Cozens, who was acquired from the Buffalo Sabres at the deadline for centre Josh Norris, but that line didn't perform with any consistency during the playoffs, and that was a cause for concern.
