Trade Talks Reportedly Heating Up Between the Canucks and Senators for Brock Boeser's Replacement
Photo credit: Jess Star Photography
A new top-six forward target has emerged for the Vancouver Canucks this summer, as Patrik Allvin looks to make some big additions to the team's roster for the 2025-26 season.
The Vancouver Canucks are hoping to be aggressive this summer as they look to fill holes in their forward group, specifically the second line center position, as well as a top-six forward, if the team has the money to bring in both.
With Brock Boeser expected to leave the organization as an unrestricted free agent on Canada Day, that'll leave a big hole at the second line right wing position that certainly won't be easy to fill, especially with the production the American forward brought on a yearly basis.
Teams calling Ottawa Senators regarding top-six forward Drake Batherson
As Patrik Allvin and Jim Rutherford weigh their options on the trade and free agent markets, a new name has come to the forefront - Drake Batherson of the Ottawa Senators.
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen shared on Tuesday morning that teams around the National Hockey League have been calling Senators General Manager Steve Staios to inquire about the availability of the 27-year-old forward.
"Three league executives say a name to keep an eye on with the National Hockey League draft set for June 28-29 is winger Drake Batherson. There was talk at the trade deadline in March that the Senators were listening on Batherson and his name has surfaced on the market again." Garrioch said in his article.
Garrioch shared that trading Drake Batherson will not only open up a top-six spot for Fabian Zetterlund, who they acquired in March from San Jose, but will also allow Steve Staios to add a "proven top-six forward", which sources tell him the team is searching for this summer.
"Moving Batherson would also open up a spot for Fabian Zetterlund in the top six. He was acquired from the San Jose Sharks at the deadline and is a restricted free agent who requires a deal." Garrioch said.
He added, "The talk in league circles is that the Senators would like to acquire a proven top-six forward who can score either through a trade or on the unrestricted free agent market."
He added, "The talk in league circles is that the Senators would like to acquire a proven top-six forward who can score either through a trade or on the unrestricted free agent market."
The Vancouver Canucks should certainly enter the mix for Drake Batherson, as he would be a great replacement for Brock Boeser, putting up better numbers than the UFA forward in two of the past three seasons, but it won't be cheap to land the Senators forward.
During the 2024-25 campaign, Batherson had a career-high 68 points (26 goals, 42 assists), 30 penalty minutes and was a plus-nine, following that up with two points in six contests during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
It's too early to say if the Vancouver Canucks will engage in trade discussions with Ottawa regarding Drake Batherson or if the Senators will end up moving the Fort Wayne, Indiana native, but he's certainly a player that would be a solid fit in the top-six for Adam Foote's group.
Source: Bruce Garrioch/Ottawa Citizen
Teams eyeing Ottawa Senators winger Drake Batherson as trade talk heats up
Teams eyeing Ottawa Senators winger Drake Batherson as trade talk heats up
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