The Ottawa Senators and Washington Capitals each locked up a young core piece on Thursday, with Drake Batherson and Ryan Leonard both signing eight-year extensions.
In Ottawa, Batherson’s new deal comes in at an $10.75 million salary cap hit, according to Puck Pedia. The 28-year-old’s contract includes a full no-movement clause for the first four years. After that, he’ll carry a 20-team no-trade clause for three seasons, followed by a 15-team no-trade clause in the final year.
The salary structure runs through 2034-35, starting with $6 million salaries and $6 million signing bonuses in both 2027-28 and 2028-29. Batherson will earn a $5 million salary and a $6 million signing bonus in 2029-30, then a $9 million salary and $2 million signing bonus in 2030-31. The final four seasons are set at $7.5 million in salary, with signing bonuses of $3 million in 2031-32 and 2032-33, then $2 million in 2033-34 and 2034-35.
Washington’s extension for Leonard is even bigger: eight years and $84 million, with a $10.5 million cap hit. The deal begins next season for the 21-year-old, who posted 20 goals and 25 points in 75 games in his rookie year.
Puck Pedia reported that Leonard’s contract includes a no-movement clause in year six, a 21-team no-trade clause in year seven, and a 15-team no-trade clause in year eight. The early-year money is heavily bonus-loaded, with $1 million salaries in each of the first three seasons and signing bonuses of $14.7 million, $10.775 million, and $8.425 million. The rest of the breakdown includes a $5.92 million salary and $3.5 million signing bonus in 2030-31, a $1.2 million salary and $8.22 million signing bonus in 2031-32, a $2.54 million salary and $6.88 million signing bonus in 2032-33, and straight $9.42 million salaries in the final two seasons.
Capitals general manager Chris Patrick praised Leonard’s upside, saying, “Ryan is a young and talented player who is still years away from entering his prime, and we believe he has tremendous potential to continue growing into an important player for our organization.”
Patrick added, “We are extremely excited to sign Ryan to a long-term contract with our club,” and said the team has been impressed with Leonard’s work ethic and the way he continues to develop his game.
Tom Gulitti noted that the new CBA contract rules starting tomorrow played a part, and said the Capitals wanted to keep Leonard from getting close to restricted free agency after the Leo Carlsson offer sheet.
Elsewhere in the league, the Detroit Red Wings named Shawn Horcoff as interim GM. Horcoff will handle day-to-day roster decisions, salary cap matters, and hockey operations personnel while the club continues its search for a permanent leader.
Ilitch said, “As our process continues to find the best possible leader for Red Wings hockey operations, I’m appreciative of Shawn for stepping up to serve in this capacity,” and added that Horcoff’s knowledge of the organization and range of experience gives the team a clear decision-maker for the season ahead.
The Chicago Blackhawks also made a notable move, naming Connor Bedard their 37th captain. The Athletic reported that the 21-year-old is the second-youngest captain in franchise history, behind Jonathan Toews, who was named captain at 20.
In Other News...
Capitals Just Made Their Ryan Leonard Belief Impossible To Miss
Ryan Leonards first season in Washington gave the Capitals plenty to like, and the organization has now made its long-term view unmistakable. The 2023 first-round pick produced 20 goals and 25 assists in 75 games as a rookie, a strong debut that quickly turned him from promising addition into a core piece the franchise wanted to secure before the conversation could drag on any longer.
General manager Chris Patrick has already signaled confidence in Leonards development, and the new agreement reflects how quickly that belief hardened. For a Capitals team trying to shape its next window around young, reliable talent, locking in a player who has already shown he can contribute at the NHL level is the kind of move that sends a clear message about where the organization sees him in the years ahead. [Read more 🡒]
Ovechkin Just Pulled The Capitals Into A Brutal Off-Ice Debate
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The video itself does not show Ovechkin speaking, but his presence is still impossible to miss. He is seen standing with Russian politicians, including Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, which only adds to the scrutiny around a player whose public ties to Russia have long drawn attention. For the Capitals, the discomfort is obvious: this is a story about their captain, but it is unfolding far beyond hockey, and the team has so far stayed silent as the reaction continues to build. [Read more 🡒]
Capitals Enter A New Ted Leonsis Era Behind The Scenes
Monumental Sports & Entertainment made a notable behind-the-scenes move this week, elevating Zach Leonsis into a larger leadership role inside the company that owns the Capitals. The announcement signals a continuation of the family influence that has long shaped the organization, with Ted Leonsis still at the center as founder and CEO while the next generation takes on more responsibility.
Zach Leonsis will be involved in some of the companys most important business areas, including the infrastructure that supports the teams day-to-day operations and the broader media and venue side of the enterprise. Both Leonsis men addressed the transition in statements about growth and what comes next, a reminder that for the Capitals, some of the biggest changes can happen far from the ice. [Read more 🡒]