Drake Batherson may no longer qualify as a fantasy hockey sleeper, but I still believe there is another level available for the Ottawa Senators winger in 2026-27.
Coming off an excellent 33-goal, 38-assist, 71-point season in only 79 games, Batherson has established himself as one of Ottawa’s most dependable offensive weapons. That production works out to roughly 0.90 points per game, putting him on a 74-point pace over a full 82-game schedule.
My projection has him going higher.
I am projecting Drake Batherson to score 35 goals and add 43 assists for 78 points in 2026-27.
That puts the 80-point barrier well within striking distance without requiring an unrealistic offensive explosion. Batherson doesn’t suddenly need to become a 100-point superstar. He simply needs to stay healthy, maintain his goal-scoring efficiency and squeeze a little more production out of what could be a dangerous Ottawa Senators power play.
For fantasy hockey managers, that combination makes Batherson one of the more intriguing forwards to watch heading into draft season.
Drake Batherson 2026-27 Fantasy Hockey Projection: 35 Goals, 43 Assists, 78 Points
Here is my NHLTradeRumor.com projection for Batherson:
The projection represents only a modest increase over his 82-game scoring pace from last season. Batherson produced 71 points in 79 games, which translates to approximately 73.7 points over 82 games. Reaching 78 would require roughly a six-percent increase in his points-per-game rate.
That is exactly the type of progression I am comfortable projecting rather than simply assuming every player coming off a career season will suddenly explode offensively.
Drake Batherson Career NHL Stats
| Type | GP | G | A | P | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Season | 470 | 149 | 215 | 364 | -87 |
| Playoffs | 10 | 4 | 2 | 6 | -7 |
Why the Ottawa Senators Power Play Could Push Batherson Higher
The biggest variable for Batherson’s fantasy ceiling could be special teams.
If Ottawa deploys the projected power-play group featuring Batherson, William Eklund, Dylan Cozens, Tim StĂĽtzle and Jake Sanderson, there should be plenty of puck skill surrounding him. Ottawa’s official 2026-27 roster currently lists all four of those potential power-play teammates.
Batherson doesn’t necessarily need to dominate possession on that unit. His fantasy value comes from his ability to finish plays, find open areas around the net and capitalize when Ottawa’s more creative players force penalty killers out of position.
That matters because StĂĽtzle and Sanderson can create offense through puck movement, while Eklund adds another skilled playmaking option and Cozens gives Ottawa another shooting threat.
More weapons can occasionally mean fewer individual touches, but I see the potential benefit outweighing that concern. Defending teams won’t be able to shade coverage toward one or two Ottawa players as easily.
Batherson also showed late last season that he remained capable of delivering in this role, scoring a power-play goal in Ottawa’s final regular-season game against Toronto.
My Fantasy Hockey Take on Drake Batherson
My biggest reason for liking Batherson in 2026-27 is that fantasy managers aren’t being asked to bet entirely on a breakout.
The breakout has already happened.
Batherson scored 33 goals and 71 points last season. My projection is essentially betting that he can maintain that new offensive baseline while gaining a handful of additional points through health, surrounding talent and power-play opportunities.
Projected floor: 68-72 points
NHLTradeRumor.com projection: 78 points
Upside scenario: 82-85 points
The downside comes if his shooting percentage retreats significantly or his power-play role becomes less prominent. That’s why I’m stopping the projection at 78 instead of pushing him into the mid-to-high 80s.
But if you’re looking for a forward with legitimate 30-plus goal potential, strong power-play upside and a realistic path toward 80 points, Batherson deserves serious consideration in fantasy hockey drafts.
For me, 35 goals, 43 assists and 78 points is the sweet spot.
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