NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 15, 2026
Senators close to re-signing Drake Batherson, Bo Horvat named Islanders captain, Sabres re-sign Noah Ostlund, Canadiens re-sign coach Martin St. Louis, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
OTTAWA SUN: The Senators and winger Drake Batherson are close to an eight-year contract extension. The average annual amount is believed to be between $10.5 million and $11 million, with a formal announcement expected on Tuesday.
Ottawa Senators winger Drake Batherson (NHL Images)
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Senators want to keep Batherson, who wants to retire as a Senator. Both sides are rushing to get this deal done because today is the deadline for teams to re-sign players to eight-year maximum term contracts. After Sept. 15, the maximum term drops to seven years, while the term for signing unrestricted free agents drops from seven years to six.
Hockey analytics guru “JFresh” reports Batherson’s new deal is for eight years with a $10.6 million AAV, but there’s been no official announcement as of this writing.
Batherson, 28, would become the highest-paid player in Senators history. He’s been a consistent offensive winger, posting 20-plus goals and 60-plus points in each of the last four seasons, including a career-high 33 goals and 71 points in 2025-26.
**UPDATE**
The Batherson deal is now confirmed at eight years with a $10.75 million AAV.
NEW YORK POST: The Islanders named Bo Horvat as their new team captain. He replaced Anders Lee, who departed to the Utah Mammoth this summer as an unrestricted free agent.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some observers suggested 19-year-old wunderkind Matthew Schaefer might be tapped for the captaincy. Schaefer will likely earn that honor one day, but Horvat is the better choice for now. The 31-year-old two-way center has 12 NHL seasons under his belt, including four seasons as captain of the Vancouver Canucks.
BUFFALO HOCKEY NOW: The Sabres signed sophomore forward Noah Ostlund to an eight-year contract extension with an AAV of $6.6 million.
Ostlund, 22, is in the final season of his entry-level contract. He had 27 points in 60 games last season, but management is convinced that he’s earned this lucrative long-term extension.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sabres beat the deadline for locking up players to eight-year contracts. This deal follows a similar move by the Vancouver Canucks, who recently signed promising defenseman Zeev Buium to an eight-year deal with a $9.38 million AAV.
Like the Canucks, the Sabres are betting on a promising young player reaching his potential. Ostlund is projected to become a skillful two-way forward. If he meets or exceeds expectations, his extension will be a bargain over the long term, especially under a rapidly rising salary cap.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Montreal Canadiens signed head coach Martin St. Louis to a three-year contract extension.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: St. Louis has done a tremendous job with the rebuilding Canadiens, coaching them from dead last in 2021-22 to the Eastern Conference Final last season.
The Canadiens also announced that Josh Anderson will be an alternate captain. He replaced Brendan Gallagher, who was traded to the Vancouver Canucks in June.
TVA SPORTS: Speaking of the Canadiens, Renaud Lavoie reports defenseman Kaiden Guhle will miss the start of this season as he continues to rehab from offseason surgery. Lavoie believes the oft-injured Guhle will return sometime in November.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Guhle’s injury opens up an opportunity for one of the Canadiens’ young defensemen to earn a roster spot. However, that could force management to trade or demote a blueliner once Guhle is ready to return.
TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the Canadiens and Arber Xhekaj are close to agreeing to a new contract for the 25-year-old defenseman. He’s expected to be signed before training camp opens on Wednesday.
THE DENVER POST: Joe Sakic will remain as general manager of the Colorado Avalanche. Sakic, who also serves as president of hockey operations, took over the GM position from Chris MacFarland, who departed in June to become the general manager of the Nashville Predators.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sakic is taking over the role for the second time. He initially served as GM from 2014 to 2022, building the Avalanche into a Stanley Cup champion.
TSN: The Columbus Blue Jackets signed UFA goaltender Cam Talbot to a one-year, $950,000 contract.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Talbot, 39, will fill in for Elvis Merzlikins, who is sidelined indefinitely following offseason shoulder surgery.
PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: The Penguins hired Marcel Braithwaite as their new president of business operations. Braithwaite spent the past 14 years as senior vice president of MLB’s Houston Astros.
According to this article in the Ottawa Sun, Batherson’s signing is a fait accompli
https://ottawasun.com/ottawa-senators/ottawa-senators-sign-drake-batherson-to-record-eight-year-deal
The AAV over 8 years is $10,750,000
Glad the Sens signed Batherson. Notwithstanding that the Sens are a division rival to the Habs, this and the Kreider signing spare us at least a few days of hand wringing about how American players won’t sign with Canadian teams.
Well, In Batherson’s case anyway, although born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, he did make his off-season home just outside Halifax a number of years ago.
Solid signing. I love Bath’s game especially his ability to get better every year. He has really upped his physical game and is starting to use his elite shot way more. And although he was born in American he played hockey for Junior Canada when he had that incredible tournament that basically put him on the radar.
Owen, his dad, Norm, was born in North Sydney, Nova Scotia while his mom, Deeann was born in Port aux Basques, Newfoundland.
Drake was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana on April 27,1998 as his dad was closing out his pro career as a forward with the Fort Wayne Komets of the then International Hockey League, making him a dual citizen.
Hey George, My dad hit the 88 milestone today! I sure hope you both stick around a long time. I like reading your comments and insights.
You got an admirer there George. Strike while the irons hot!
Well, thank you Renee. And I hope your Dad had a great day for his 88th.
I’m like the guy who fell off the top floor of the Empire State Building who kept saying as he passed each floor — “So far, so good.”
And I hope we keep seeing more posts from you,
When Trent Fredric was signed by STAN BOWMAN
of the Edmonton Oilers to an 8 year contract
what was expected of him? Just curious.
That is a good question. Seemingly Knoblauch and Bowman disagreed on this. Add in his ankle injury/recovery and last year was a mess for him and he openly stated in the media one time he wasn’t even sure himself what his role is.
For me, he was seen as a replacement for Kane. A younger albeit not as offensivley gifted physical utility player (lw/rw/c) that should pot 15 goals a season and someone that can slid up into top 6 in certain scenarios (obviously not every game)
So far it has not gone well but regardless of what you think of the term, contract or player…he is better than what he showed last season.
Why the 8 years…idk.
You gave a reasonable reply. I will give an emotional one in return. He was horrible.
He should not as a 4th liner being signed
to an 8 year contract with NMC’s. Bowman
should be fired and he won’t get any better
this year leaving the Oilers with an albatross
contract.
Speaking of 8-year deals, Washington just signed 21 y/o RW Ryan Leonard to 8-years @ $10.5 mil per. He is on a $950,000 ELC with one season to go and comes off a 20g 25a 45 pts in 75gp season.
Oil might want to get on Savoie as well. Nothing close to what Leonard got, but the Ostlund deal seems is a good comparable.
Frederic had a couple of solid seasons with Boston and was on his way until he encountered Tanner Jeannot. He got tooled up pretty good and was not the same player after that!
When Bowman gave Frederic his current long-term deal on June 27, 2025 at an AAV of $3,850,000, he had just completed his best season to that point (2023-24) when he scored 18g 22a 40 pts in 82gp. His 82-game averages over 337gp with Boston were 13g 13a 26pts.
Since joining the Oilers he has played 75 games with 4g 3a 7pts. The only good side in giving him that long a deal was the AAV and, if he can remain healthy, he may yet live up to that almost $4 mil per.
They’d better hope so because, as things stand now, buying him out would cost them an annual buyout cap hit of $2,121,429. While that would represent a savings of $1,728,571 per season for the first 7 years, it would then be followed by a dead cap penalty of $821,429 per year for an additional 7 years, extending all the way to 2040.
That, of course, will change with each passing season. But how long do you carry someone who continues to under-perform?
Wow! Hagens 6 goals in two games I don’t care If it’s all rookies or not, that was just a sterling example of where this kid might be heading.
I saw both games Hagens & Locmelis were easily the two best players on ice not just for Providence but best players period. How does that translate into the nhl. I Don’t know I understand Hagens added some ten pounds to his frame and that certainly hasn’t affected his speed. Locmelis isn’t as fast but boy when you see how he can the stick handle, the soft feather passes from out of nowhere net presence, knowing where everybody on the ice is.
I’m equally excited to see how this guy does this season as well.
Hagens, schmagens…..The Oilers have Ike Howard.
In his one game with the rookies he has scored one
power play goal. He has stood out through out.
If you offered to trade Hagens to the Oilers on a one
to one deal, the Oilers would turn you down.
Fred you’ve got be kidding? You’re putting me on right? I haven’t seen Ike so I can’t comment I can only comment on the bruins. I liked what I saw out of Hagens and Locmelis. That’s all I have to say good luck with Ike.
Have to agree with John on this one. I’m a B’s fan first but live in the Edmonton area and root for the Oil too unless they play Boston.
Oil are optimistic on Howard, and he produced in the AHL over a PPG in 47 games. He will get every opportunity this season with Savoie out to start the year.
Hagens is the bigger unknown, but also has bigger upside. The young man has some serious skills. Happy to hear he put some weight on as he got pushed around last year when he played in Boston. The challenge for him will be getting to where the goals are scored, middle of the ice. It will probably take the kid some time, he’s still just 19. Howard is 22, its the time wingers make the jump.
If I ran the Oilers I make that trade all day, pretty sure the B’s would never offer it.
C’mon guys, most of the guys your rookie heroes are playing with are Jr. players and other prospects that will not get a chance in the NHL for many years, if ever. They should excell!
Josh Anderson was my pick all along as the next guy to wear the “A” after Gallagher moved on.
I’d like to see a trade between Habs and Calgary.
To Calgary
Dach C
Struble LD
To Montreal
Pachal RD
Brzustewicz RD
All four of them are extras on their team but fit roles on the new ones.
Technically it’s one sided for Calgary who get two roster players and lose one that won’t dress and one who’ll be in the AHL.
Each team gets a RFA and a UFA.
Habs gain some cap room.
Habs are loaded with LD and short on RD
I like it. Dach is addition by subtraction and removing Struble takes away the option from MSL to move Hutson to RD so he can play with Struble.
Both players removed would free up roster spots for F Xhekaj or Beck at fwd, and hopefully secure A Xhekaj as 3LD as well as open up a roster spot for Reinbacher or Engstrom on RD.
Seems like a big over pay for Batherson in my opinion but with the cap going up maybe not .
For Leonard I think the Caps will love this cap hit in a few years but like a few other contracts GM’s are really gambling with there young guys turning into top 6 F or top 4 D
I’m on the fence about Batherson’s deal. I like the player. But I don’t think it will age well.
I’m happy with Horvath getting the C. For now.
The “aging well” factor was … and still is … my biggest concern. BUT, at 88, I seriously doubt I’ll still be around when it nears completion to say “I told you so!” LOL
Men tell me the last time other than Jacob Slavin any contract that has aged well? That s the price for doing business.Everyone should thank Anaheim!
SR
You’re right.
though….Kucherov’s deal aged well as did (shockingly) Babrovsky’s.
I know, I’m cherry picking. Your point is valid. I still don’t like it.
Hey George, what did the very old pirate say on his birthday? “Aye Maity”
LOL
I can think of lots of deals that aged well.
As a B’s fan – Bergeron, Krecji, Marchand, Pasta, Chara.
Oilers, Draisaitl’s first one, looks like the 2nd one too so far. McDavid’s, both.
MacKinnon’s first one big time, this one looking pretty darn good now too.
I am sure there are plenty more. Montreal’s roster is a good place too look for more.
I don’t think it needs to age well. Bath needs to be good for 3-5 years. That’s this teams window with Sanderson and Stutzle on great contracts. I’m guessing without going 8, Bath might test the market and if the Sens are going to win, Sens need Batherson. Getting no NMC after year 4 was a pretty decent move imo
The pundits seem to believe this is the exact right deal. Money and ESPECIALLY term.
If you are comparing to contracts like Stutzle and Sanderson, THOSE contracts have become bargain basement with the cap going the way it is.
For out of province Hab fans, in today’s red/white scrimmage Kreider was centering Caufield and Slafkovsky and Arber Xhekaj was playing D.
Who did Suzuki play with?
Suzuki was absent
Last chair got fille, Xhekaj signed for 1 yr $1.5M
$200k over the QO he was given.
Good signing. I hope he gets the action he needs to improve upon those parts of his game needing it. This big kid can skate and has one helluva heavy shot.
Just stay away from the retaliatory nonsense .. be patient … it’s a long season and there will be opportunities to “return the favor” so to speak, and temper his instinctive moves that often puts his defensive partner in a tough spot.
He does just those two things on a consistent basis and he’ll get the confidence of St. Louis. I like this kid.