Drake Batherson, nearing his 28th birthday, has achieved a career milestone in his eighth NHL season by scoring over 30 goals and 70 points for the first time. He attributes his success to setting personal goals and teamwork.
Drake Batherson is aging like fine wine. Two weeks shy of his 28th birthday, and now in his eighth season with the club, every year has been a little better than the last.
For example, this season, the Ottawa Senators winger has cracked the 30-goal and 70-point mark for the first time in his NHL career.
"Every player has always got (individual) goals going through the season," Batherson told the Coming in Hot podcast on Monday. "And for me, it was, I wanted to score 30 and get 70 points. So I was pretty pumped to obviously do that."
"And you know, the next year you set new goals out for yourself. And if you can do that and help the team get in the playoffs, I think that's the biggest thing. And yeah, I think it was a great year and got to give credit to obviously my teammates, the power play and getting put in situations where I was able to do that."
It's not just hyperbole to suggest Batherson gets better every year.
Just take a glance at his hockeydb.com page. For every year of his eight-year career, he's improved his point totals from the year before.
Image
Image
While that's an impressive stat, you might think that with all the superstars who've ever played this game, there are probably others who might also have replicated that feat.
Apparently, you'd be wrong.
According to Sportsnet's Kyle Bukauskas on Sportsnet's 32 Thoughts Podcast, Batherson is the first NHL player to accomplish that in 66 years. The only other player ever to do it, Bukauskas noted, was winger Vic Stasiuk, who retired in the 1960s. But from 1952 to 1960, he improved every year during his eight-year window.
If that's the case, and I can't imagine the weeks of research it would take to verify it, that would make Batherson the only guy who's ever done it from the start of his career onward.
32 goals and 72 points and improving every season definitely isn't bad for a guy who makes less than $5 million per season on a very club-friendly contract.
But the bargain will end on July 1, 2027, when Batherson becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2027, and as such, he's eligible for an extension this summer. When asked about it on the Coming in Hot Podcast on Monday, Batherson said he isn't aware of any early contract discussions.
The conversation also turned to the last couple of games of the regular season, and host Brent Wallace wondered about some of the club's stars getting to skip the game in New Jersey, and whether Batherson might like a little time off, too.
Batherson, who once told me if he weren't in the NHL, he'd be one of those guys who play in five different men's leagues, said he has zero issues in playing these games.
"I mean, I love it," Batherson said. "It's the NHL. Like, if you told me 10 years ago, I could be playing game 81 in New Jersey. I'd be like, 'A hundred percent!' I don't care what the situation is. So it's a dream come true playing every night for me. And I'm happy to be out there."
With another playoff run about to begin, the Senators are thrilled to have him as well.
For a player whoās made a habit of raising his ceiling year after year, the most intriguing part might be this: Batherson's improvement streak is an active one, so we still donāt know where this thing will top out.
How do you not take a shine to that?
Steve Warne
The Hockey News
This article was first published at The Hockey News Ottawa. Check out more great Sens features fromĀ The Hockey NewsĀ at the links below:
What career milestones did Drake Batherson achieve this season?
Drake Batherson scored over 30 goals and 70 points for the first time in his NHL career this season.
How long has Drake Batherson been in the NHL?
Drake Batherson is currently in his eighth season in the NHL.
What personal goals did Drake Batherson set for himself this season?
Batherson aimed to score 30 goals and achieve 70 points this season.
What does Drake Batherson credit for his success this season?
He credits his teammates, the power play, and being placed in favorable situations for his success this season.
Related Articles
Sports
LIV Golf is still going, but its days seem numbered and probably always were
LIV Golf's future appears uncertain as reports suggest Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund may withdraw funding after investing $5 billion. Despite assurances for the 2026 season, the tour faces challenges from low ratings and strong competition from the PGA Tour.
ESPN NewsĀ·Ā·1 min read
MLBĀ·Recap
Angels' Mike Trout hits another HR to join Aaron Judge in rare Yankee Stadium history
Mike Trout's 446-foot HR joins him with Aaron Judge in Yankee Stadium lore.
Yahoo SportsĀ·Ā·1 min read
MLBĀ·Feature
Tigers projected to take a gamble on the upside of a 6'3" prep bat
Detroit Tigers projected to take a risk on a 6'3" prep bat in the MLB draft.