Senators Should Re-Sign Batherson & Zub Over Tkachuk & Chabot

Other than Claude Giroux and Jordan Spence, there aren’t too many big names the Ottawa Senators have to worry about inking to extensions in the coming weeks. The others being Nick Jensen, Lars Eller, Nick Cousins and Dennis Gilbert, whose positions can be filled via free agency or trade.

But next offseason is the true test for the Sens with the contracts of Drake Batherson and Artem Zub expiring. Both have been key contributors to the club’s reemergence as a contender, thanks to their respective playing styles while on team-friendly contracts for under $5 million each.

Michael Amadio and Warren Foegle are also free agents next offseason, and Tyler Kleven will also be a restricted free agent. The year after, Brady Tkachuk and Thomas Chabot’s deals expire, leading to more big decisions that might even have to start this summer for president and general manager Steve Staios.

For now, though, he must focus on retaining two of his most important roster pieces, those being Batherson, the top-six playmaker, and the club’s top defensive defenceman, Zub. If deals can’t get done, trades might have to be made so Ottawa doesn’t lose either of them for nothing.

What Both Mean to the Club

Batherson has been a solid offensive contributor to the Sens’ top-six for the last four seasons. True, he might not be a game-changing winger, but he has given Ottawa four straight 60-plus-point seasons since completing his development. 

This season was the best in his career as he notched his first 30-goal and 70-point campaign. Yes, his defensive game is not sharp, but playmaking wingers that put up these kinds of numbers are a vital part of any offence. If utilized properly, like he has been the past few seasons, Batherson will only continue to be a solid secondary weapon that can contribute at five-on-five and on the power play.

As for Zub, Sens fans should know very well that he contributes on the other side of the puck. He also had a career season with 30 points and has always had a positive goal differential. Thanks to his defensive strengths, the Russian blueliner has been one-half of an excellent top defensive pair with Jake Sanderson for the last three seasons. 

The two averaged an expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60) of 1.87 this season, the highest amongst all defensive pairings averaging 900-plus minutes. In the previous two seasons, they were second in the league amongst pairings averaging over 700 minutes in xGA/60.

With his ability to close gaps and cover loose areas of the ice – further allowing for Sanderson to activate offensively – Zub has been more than a solid anchor on the Senators’ blue line.

Can the Senators Bring Both Back?

With approximately $65.998 million of projected salary heading into the next offseason – unless they spend more money before then – and the cap continuing to rise, the Senators can no doubt bring both these pieces back on paper. However, they must also consider the next wave of big free agents in Tkachuk and Chabot.

Both have expressed their desires to stay in Ottawa – mainly Tkachuk in his season-ending media availability – but will each cost at least over $9 million to keep around. Unless they ship one or both of them out before the summer of 2028, the Sens would have to pay up to keep the two.

This may impact their ability to bring back both Zub and Batherson, especially since they will be looking for pay upgrades as well. Talks have not yet begun with Zub’s camp, but have with Batherson’s. In fact, it is being reported that the 28-year-old winger could earn something between $7-8 million (from ‘What will new contracts look like for Senators’ Spence, Batherson and others?’ Ottawa Citizen, May 15, 2026).

With this in mind, one thing becomes certain – Ottawa certainly cannot afford to bring back all four of the above in the next two years, especially if they are adding to their roster. This is why they need to prioritize keeping their foundational pieces around while retaining one of Chabot or Tkachuk and not paying the big bucks to two of their top players. Do they really want to follow in the footsteps of their Ontario brethren who paid their four stars and didn’t have enough room for scoring depth?

Why Worry Now?

July 1 marks the first eligible date at which pending free agents next year can re-sign with their club. The Senators simply won’t want long-lasting contract talks with Batherson’s representative, Paul Zapizzano and Daniel Milstein for Zub. The ideal time for extensions to get done is throughout the summer before training camp in September, so it does not carry into the season and become a dilemma while hockey is being played.

Even more significant is whether they both break out, put up career-best numbers next season and demand even more money. It would not be the first time this has happened around the league as players routinely up their game in contract years (from ‘Top NHL players really do improve in contract year, statistics show,’ Toronto Star, Sept. 18, 2014).

Most importantly, the sooner they get one of – or both – re-signed, or at least determine the direction they want to go with them, the sooner they can open extension talks with the next big two free agents and determine their futures in Ottawa. Before handing out the big bucks in a couple of summers just for the sake of keeping Tkachuk and Chabot, the Senators have to consider where the money should really be going: to the depth of their roster. 

Staios has been superb in building this group with flexible contracts, with six of his core players making $7-8 million. Despite his moves leaving room to carry the remaining forwards at approximately $20 million and the rest of his blue line to just over $8 million, he will have to keep going to retain two of his most important contributors. 

If both Zub and Batherson are signed to around $7 million, those would be slam dunks for Ottawa, even if it leads to tougher decisions to be made down the road. If they want more than $8-9 million or have a hard time in negotiations, that is where a line might have to be drawn.