Ottawa Senators: Top 10 Prospects Entering 2018

4. Drake Batherson, C [20] (4-121, 2017)

Stats (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles/Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, QMJHL): 51 gp, 29 g, 48 a, 77 p, 12 PPG (18 A), 2 SHG (1 A), 5 GWG, 166 SOG, 54.2 FO%, 1.51 pts/g (22 pgp, 13 g, 20 a, 33 p, 3 PPG (7 A), 1 GWG, 77 SOG, 50.4 FO%, 1.5 pts/g).

One of the best players in the QMJHL, but doing so in a very injury-plagued season, while showing what he can truly do in the playoffs, Drake Batherson has already exceeded expectations. As a fourth-round pick just a year ago, it was unexpected for Batherson to become a difference maker in a top Canadian junior league.

But for the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, that’s exactly what Batherson was. He was first in playoff scoring, tied for third in goals, first in assists, and first in points per game. This must be noted, however: Batherson was an overager when drafted, eligible for his second draft.

Batherson was good on both the power play and while shorthanded. He’s an excellent goal scorer and somebody who should up both at the Canadian junior and international levels. Batherson will get his professional start in the AHL but should be able to work his way up. He’ll try and set the AHL ablaze with what should be a better Belleville team, and not having to be around the team in Kanata could be a good thing for the developing center.

It’s hard to tell his ceiling, as Batherson is still developing. But right now, it would not be unexpected for Batherson to become a middle-six center. The Ottawa Senators have prospects down the middle like Logan Brown and Colin White, but Brady Tkachuk, their best forward for the future, is a winger. With a prominent youth movement, the Senators need as much forward help as they can get. Batherson might be a part of the solution.