Senators Drake Batherson Displays Another Side To His Game

While it’s not the be-all and end-all for hockey analytics junkies, Ottawa Senators Drake Batherson wore a minus-35 last season, the fifth-worst plus/minus rating in the NHL.

But what a difference a year makes; Drake Batherson is currently sporting a respectable minus-8 on a team that’s on pace to allow 21 more goals than in the 2022-23 campaign.

The lanky six-three, 200-pound forward’s improved defensive play hasn’t been lost on Senators interim head coach Jacques Martin.

“I think Drake has been playing really well. When I look back since the beginning when I came, he’s playing with so much more confidence. He does a much better job with the puck. But also, he comes back hard. I think he does a much better job defensively than he used to,” Martin noted after Sunday’s 5-3 Senators’ victory over the Edmonton Oilers, a game which featured a three-point (one goal, two assists) performance from the Nova Scotia resident.

Martin doubled down Tuesday post-practice, offering more praise for the soon-to-be 26-year-old (April 27).

“I like how he’s trending. He’s trending in the right direction. I like that he definitely has a lot of skill to make plays. He has a good shot. He’s got great speed. I think with him being involved, being engaged – I think he’s improved defensively as far as reading situations. I talked to him last week – with his ability to skate, I think he could be a player like Marian Hossa. Hossa was a great at coming back hard and stealing pucks and restarting an attack. Trying to give (Batherson) some objectives, I like how he’s progressing, being more responsible – improve his play away from the puck. I think he’s playing with a lot of confidence with the puck” said the Senators’ interim head coach.