BATHERSON EMBRACES ‘BIG OPPORTUNITY’
Top prospect makes good impression in latest push for extended stay with Ottawa
On Saturday, Drake Batherson looked every bit like an NHL player.
Now comes the test of proving it again Tuesday in Washington against the imposing Capitals. If that goes well, it will be about proving himself yet again Friday in Detroit to conclude the twogame road trip.
And so on.
Welcome to the prospect life with the developing Ottawa Senators, where continued success for the 21-year-old winger could lead to a full-time spot in the lineup. Alternatively, an off night or two could mean another trip back to Belleville to the American Hockey League for more seasoning.
“I got a big opportunity last game,” Batherson said Monday before boarding the Senators’ charter flight for the first time since the regular season opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs. “Being able to play four-on-four, stuff like that, and on the power play. I’m just trying to make the most of that and have fun.”
Recalled from Belleville on Saturday morning after Senators leading scorer Anthony Duclair was ruled out due to a foot injury, Batherson looked especially sharp on the power play.
He delivered a series of crisp passes, including setting up Jean-Gabriel Pageau for the prettiest goal of the night. It’s the type of play he has made with regularity in Belleville, where his 13 goals and 28 assists in 33 games put him atop the AHL scoring race and earned him a spot in his second consecutive league all-star game.
His performance against the Lightning was also enough to keep him in the Senators lineup, even with Duclair likely returning against the Capitals.
During practice Monday, he skated on a line with Nick Paul and Colin White.
If Batherson looked hesitant and unsure of himself during training camp and the opening two games of the season in Ottawa — prompting the organization to ship him back to Belleville — he looked poised and polished against Tampa.
“I thought he really imposed his pace since he left (in October),” coach D.J. Smith said, crediting Batherson with using his AHL stint to get stronger off the ice. “The coaches (in the AHL) did a nice job with him. We think he can be a player. We’re not going to put anyone on the spot if they’re not going to play a lot. Right now, if I can continue to get him minutes, he’ll stay up here for now. It’s one game (against Tampa) and he has to continue to get better.”
It’s worth remembering that Batherson had a brilliant debut with the Senators last season, scoring in his first NHL game and registering two goals and three assists in his first four contests.
From there, though, he tailed off, and was sent back to Belleville. In 20 games with the Senators last season, he had three goals and six assists. Interestingly, all of the points came at Canadian Tire Centre. In eight road games in the NHL, he has yet to register a point.
Batherson, however, was in an upbeat mood as he flew to Washington to face the Capitals, who lead the NHL standings with a record of 29-9-5. Looking back, he sees his previous NHL stints as bumps along the road.
“I was kind of thinking too much at the start of the year,” he said. “Now, I’m just playing with confidence. That’s the biggest thing. If you ask anyone, you’ve got to play with confidence at this level to stay here and that’s what I’m trying to do.”
Batherson acknowledges there’s a mental struggle involved in grinding through the AHL schedule when the NHL dream appears so close and in watching other forwards recalled ahead of him earlier this season.
“I would be lying if I said it didn’t (frustrate me),” he said.
“It takes some guys longer than others. Some guys can step right into the league and have an impact. For some guys, it takes a few years in the minors. There’s nothing wrong with that. You find your game down there and once you find it, you just try to play the same way.”
If he plays the same way Tuesday as he did Saturday, his current stint in the NHL will definitely be extended. kwarren@postmedia.com Twitter.com/Citizenkwarren