Welcome back to another edition for a point projection for an Ottawa Senators player, and today we will discuss the smooth winger Drake Batherson. Batherson has consistently put up numbers. His size combined with playmaking abilities and hard wrist shot, make him an offensive threat. He’s often found ways to develop chemistry with his linemates. Thus, let’s put it all together, and try to predict how many points Batherson will get 2025-26.
Sen Drake Batherson’s 2025-26 Point Projection
Drake Batherson is a very interesting player, from an offensive production aspect. Over the past four seasons really, he has been tremendously consistent. In 2021-22, his campaign was cut short by an ankle injury. However, he had been humming along that year, with 44 points in 46 games.
In the three years since that time, he’s scored between 22 and 28 goals. Also, he’s recorded between 38 and 42 assists. Furthermore, he’s been somewhere within the 18-minute mark of ice time in each of those seasons. You could add that he has a respectable career shooting percentage of 12.8%, but he has been around 14-15% when he’s been at his best. In addition, again focusing on the past four seasons, his Corsi rating has been strong. At even strength, his Corsi-for percent relative has been 0.7% or above each time. That is with his best being 3.0% in that terrific 2021-22 campaign. So, in terms of individual statistics, he’s been quite impressive.
Now, it’s time to discuss him from a team perspective, including his role and possible line combinations. Howwever, it may be worth keeping in mind, at some level, it hasn’t mattered who his linemates have been. He’s still been able to put up numbers as we’ve seen over the past few campaigns. That fact in itself is quite impressive.
Understanding his Recent Linemate Quandries
Back in 2021-22, the line of Brady Tkachuk, Joshua Norris, and Batherson basically dominated. They could hit, skate, shoot, pass, and they genuinely seemed to have excellent chemistry together. Along with playing 5v5 together, this combo also spent valuable top-unit power play time together. Then, in 2022-23, the nearly season-long injury to Norris hurt the Sens rhythm upfront. Batherson played on two specific lines that year. One was with Tkachuk and Tim Stutzle. However, they couldn’t take away from the obvious connection between Claude Giroux with Stutzle and Tkachuk.
But mostly, Batherson played with Shane Pinto and Alex DeBrincat. This trio of righties had outstanding offensive upside. Unfortunately, with Pinto still finding his ropes, playing in a top-six role, DeBrincat and Batherson did have to shelter the young the centre. Combine this with not a lot of opportunity for Batherson to carry over his 5v5 rhythm to the top power play, it made it difficult for Batherson to hit his stride. In saying that, he still recorded a respectable 62 points in a full 82-game campaign.
The 2023-24 team had challenges again. The trio of Norris-Tkachuk-Batherson were given opportunity, but couldn’t quite regain their magical form from 2021-22. The Sens still possessed Giroux and Stutzle as offensive weapons. Moreover, Pinto had to serve his gambling-related 41-game suspension. They also had Vladimir Tarasenko to replace DeBrincat from the previous year. They knew there must be winning line combinations, but for Batherson, he was utilized as a filler. Early in the year, he played with Tarasenko and Stutzle. Meanwhile, when Pinto returned, they linked up with Tkachuk to create a formidable line for the opposition. So even though Batherson, like many of the team’s lines, were cycled throughout, he was still able to maintain his level of offensive consistency.
Let’s Be Honest, He’s a Sniper
That type of scenario kind of carried over to 2024-25. But then, at the trade deadline, the Sens acquired one, Dylan Cozens. The chemistry between the two was immediate and obvious. They both don’t have a problem throwing their weight around. Also, they have the hands and a bit of seemingly awareness of where each will be down low and towards the net front to succeed.
In fact, the only problem then and possibly going into 2025-26 is who else to put with them? David Perron was the choice last year, but do they want more speed with them? A player like Nick Cousins might bring a different element to the line. However, unless they end up with Tkachuk on their line, it’s not a guarantee the other winger will greatly impact their bottom line. The other idea is for power play carryover. Given Batherson’s chemistry with Tkachuk, it is possible he sneaks on the top unit. In contrast, it is more important the connection of Cozens and Batherson is maintained. Assuming, of course, they are able to relive their synchronization from the end of last year.
In any case, we don’t anticipate Batherson’s utilization to greatly impact his output. Most of his offensive improvements will come from within. At this point of his career, he should really be able to put it altogether. He needs to realize he has a very deceptive shot, and there’s no reason he can’t approach a 15% shooting. Also, he needs to take advantage of his incredible playmaking skills to set up Cozens, Perron, or whoever. Batherson has shown to be able to repeat his level of success, with some slight positive regression, landing him around 40-45 assists. Given the uncertainty with his ice time distribution, we need a bit of variance in his bottom line. Look for Batherson to land between 65-75 points at the end of 2025-26. As a note, 75 points would mean a career high in points by seven (currently 68 from 24-25).
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