Expectations high for winger Batherson
In some ways, it feels like an off-season that won't end.
But someday — and hopefully soon — the Ottawa Senators will gather for training camp at Canadian Tire Centre and when it happens, many eyes will be pointed toward winger Drake Batherson.
The 22-year-old Batherson. who was the No. 121 overall pick in the 2017 NHL draft, has emerged as one of the Senators' top prospects and the expectation is whenever the puck drops on the 2020-21 campaign, he'll be ready to make the next step.
“I'm really excited about camp,” Batherson told Postmedia by telephone last week. “We had a great year last season in Belleville (AHL) with the guys we had down there and I want to be able to do that and contribute at the NHL level.
“I'm coming into camp ready to roll and ready to prove that I can do that at the next level. Everybody I'm training with is itching for the season.”
An AHL all-star with 16 goals and 54 points in 44 games last season, Batherson has been working hard to prepare for Senators camp. He'll be among the group of players the organization is allowed to bring in early for camp because the Senators weren't among the seven teams that participated in the Return to Play during the summer.
Skating and working tirelessly in the gym at his home near Halifax, Batherson will be ready to go.
“It's been a long grind for sure,” Batherson said. “I feel like I've been doing the same thing for six months and I'm just looking forward to playing a game. It's been fun (getting prepared), I've had a lot of time to work on the things I've wanted to work on.
“I've checked the boxes, the ones that need to be checked, and there's no excuses going into camp this year so I'm really looking forward to it.”
In 43 games with Ottawa over the past two seasons, Batherson had six goals and 19 points. Those aren't bad numbers but general manager Pierre Dorion, coach D.J. Smith and chief scout Trent Mann all believe there's more to achieve, especially offensively.
Like every young player, he had to get stronger and he's done that since March 12, when the AHL went on pause and then decided to cancel its season. Belleville coach Troy Mann and his staff have worked hard to help Batherson get to the next level.
“I've shown spurts at the NHL level the last two years of certain things I can do but coming in I want to be a guy who can be relied on and be consistent every night,” Batherson said. “I want to make things happen on a daily basis. I'm going to focus on making plays and having fun.
“Troy gave me a lot of things to make my plays and everything like that but, at the same time, he held me and my linemates accountable. Hopefully, I can (earn) that trust through D.J. and make some plays that will make some things happen out there.”