Deadline Deals Hockey
FILE - Ottawa Senators' Drake Batherson (19) celebrates his goal against the Carolina Hurricanes with teammate Nick Cousins (21) during the second period of an NHL hockey playoff game in Ottawa, Ontario, April 23, 2026.
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NHL teams are rushing to re-sign players to eight-year contracts while they still can, before midnight when the new collective bargaining agreement kicks in and sets a new ceiling of seven years. Washington locked up Ryan Leonard for $84 million and Ottawa signed Drake Batherson for $86 million, the richest contract in franchise history. Buffalo did the same with 22-year-old center Noah Ostlund, who has played just 71 games in the league. Players signing maximum-length extensions this summer will be under contract through 2035.
