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First off, thanks to the many who messaged me today on Twitter or sent an IM here at HB about how I posted this past Monday the following about the Drake Batherson contract talks when nobody in the media had gone on record to say what had been specifically tabled with regards to contract offers between both sides.

“I also get the feeling that Drake Batherson will be the next RFA to sign a new deal this week with Ottawa. Although many in the organization want to wrap up the Tkachuk extension, Batherson’s side has less leverage. If the two sides can come to an agreement on a lower AAV but increase the term, you could see a five or six year deal. I know management doesn’t want to go any higher than 5 million AAV. Otherwise, both sides are destined to sign a three year bridge deal. More to come.”

https://hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=113225

So the 6 year deal for 29.85 million dollars, with a 4.975 AAV was pretty much exactly what I reported 4 days ago. I stated how the Sens didn’t want to go higher than 5 million AAV on a 5-6 year deal. Not bad for this Sens blogger. Oh and let’s not forget, the same thing happened last weekend, when I reported on Saturday that the Filip Gustavsson contract talks were heating up and very close to a contract extension. Other so-called insider’s wrote last weekend that nothing was close and all was quiet. Then the next day, Gustavsson signs a 2 year deal with the first year being a 2 way deal due to his waiver exempt status, something I said would happen in his next contract. I had stated it would be a 2 or 3 year deal. Feel free to check it out on my blog in the 2nd paragraph

https://hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=113212

I have to say, hitting the last 2 RFA contract extensions ahead of the rest of the media experts in this city definitely has added credibility to my column and I will continue to do my best to bring you info that I get from my sources!

With regards to Brady Tkachuk, like I reported in this spot over a week ago, the team has offered him a contract of 6 years, 42 million. I think the 7 million AAV is just fine after seeing Drake getting 5 million AAV on his 6 year deal. Get Tkachuk locked up for 6 years and focus on training camp!! TSN1200 on air co-host Shawn Simpson said Ottawa hadn’t made a legitimate contract offer to Tkachuk’s camp yet. Please! Do you really think that the next captain of this team would be treated so poorly that they would anger him so much that he will want out of Ottawa?! Not a chance. This will get done and it will be a 6 year deal or a 3 year bridge deal, so don’t worry Sens fans.

Now, I am told Logan Brown will be traded this long weekend! There is a reason he hasn’t signed his qualifying offer as Brown’s agent and his family have been pushing for a trade, rather than have him attend training camp to see if he could win a job on the Sens roster. When I wrote that 3 teams had inquired about Brown on August 28th, a 4th team has emerged as a possible trade partner in Carolina. The Hurricanes are waiting on the Habs to see if they match the offer sheet for Jesperi Kotkaniemi. This domino will affect if the Canes trade for Brown or not. If the Habs match it, watch for Carolina to trade for Brown. To refresh everyone’s memories, here is what I wrote on the 28th and the 3 teams that are pushing for Brown.

“Three teams have called about Brown. I am told San Jose has been very intrigued about acquiring Brown. HC Bob Boughner coached Logan in Windsor as did new Sharks assistant coach Rocky Thompson who had Brown for a few years. Coupled with SJ GM Doug Wilson being an Ottawa native with close ties to a few people in the Sens organization, I can see the Sharks interested in Brown. Ottawa and SJ pulled off a few trades over the years, for whatever reason they have been trade partners, making this a possible destination for Brown. St.Louis, no surprise due to the many Ottawa connections both past and present in the organization. From Darren Pang, to Jeff Brown and of course to none other than Keith Tkachuk. But I would put the Blues as mildly interested in Brown. Arizona is one of the teams that has called more than once on Brown. There are a few connections when it comes to Brown and the Coyotes. Andre Tourigny was an assistant coach with the Sens in 2015-16, Brown was selected 11th overall in the 2016 draft so Tourigny would’ve been a part of many draft conversations that year. He also coached against Brown when he was HC of the Ottawa 67’s. The other Ottawa connection with the Coyotes is how Brown and Jacob Chychrun are best friend’s, with Jacob being taken 16th overall in the same draft as Brown. I found this piece from the Ottawa Citizen six years ago that is worth a read. Link below. With all three teams, Ottawa wouldn't be getting much in return for Logan but if he were to be packaged with another player maybe the Sens could get some help at RW!”

Only thing that has changed is that Rocky Thompson stepped down as assistant from SJ due to vaccination issues with covid.

So Sens fans, Ottawa could come out of Labour Day weekend and have no RFA’s left to sign! Does that happen?

Thanks for reading.
Kevin

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