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Drake Batherson was the first player on the ice on Tuesday — and one of the last to leave.
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Such is the life of an injured player, but even when the Ottawa Senators winger is healthy, the script is pretty much the same. The white jersey Batherson wore for the club’s skate at the Canadian Tire Center was a good sign the high ankle sprain he suffered Jan. 25 is headed in the right direction.
While there was hope he could play as early as Saturday on the road against the Montreal Canadiens, the Senators are going to take their time with one of their highest-scoring forwards. The expectation is Batherson will suit up March 26 at home against the Florida Panthers.
Batherson skated as an extra with Dylan Gambrell and Adam Gaudette.
“We have sometime in the last week of March circled for the return,” said Batherson. “I think I’ll be back for either that Florida game or the Nashville one on the road (March 29).
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“I felt great. I waited until I was pretty well 100% to get on the ice. It felt good and I’m happy to be out there with the guys again having fun.”
The 23-year-old Batherson has 13 goals and 34 points this season and has been one of the club’s best players.
When the injury happened on a nasty illegal hit from Buffalo goalie Aaron Dell as Batherson chased a defender, doctors gave Batherson a timeline of eight weeks or more to return. He started skating earlier this month and has sought the advice of players who have been through this injury.
When the Pittsburgh Penguins were in town last month, Batherson spoke with all-star center Sidney Crosby about the ailment because he had also suffered a high ankle sprain early in his career. The two skate together in the Halifax area in the summer with Boston’s Brad Marchand and Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon.
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“We chatted a few times,” Batherson said of his exchanges with Crosby. “They were here playing, so we talked a lot then. It was the same thing for him, I think he was (eight-to-10 weeks), so that’s similar to me. We’re on the same timeline. He said to take it slow.
“It’s a weird injury. It’s one of those things where you can just tweak it a little bit and it’ll linger on for a year. He’s definitely given me some good advice and it’s nice hearing from a guy like him.”
When he first suffered the injury, Batherson said he was warned this is something he’s going to have to deal with for a while.
“I heard from a couple guys who’ve gone through it before. They say it’s better to break (the ankle) than to sprain it. The sprain will linger on longer. It’ll be like a bite that’ll last 30 seconds, then it’ll go away. That’s what I heard. I haven’t had one yet, but fingers crossed I won’t get one.”
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Getting back will help Batherson mentally going into the summer. If he’d never been able to return, he’d be left wondering what the ankle would be like heading into camp next September.
“The passing and the timing will take some time,” said Batherson. “You can train all summer and come into camp and you’re still not in game shape. It’s tough to say until I get out there, but I think for being out for two months, I’m feeling pretty good right now.”
There will be plenty for Batherson to accomplish when he does return.
“From talking to Josh (Norris), he said it would take a couple of games just to get my timing back,” said Batherson. “I’ve been out a bit longer than him, but just getting my conditioning back to game shape and just finding my game again.
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“I felt like I was playing pretty good before the injury. I’m just trying to find that groove again and to take it into the summer and then to come into camp next year ready to go.”
The injury forced Batherson to miss the NHL all-star weekend in Vegas. It was tough because his father, Norm, a former Senators farmhand, was scheduled to accompany him, along with some other family members.
“It was tough. I was looking forward to it. I had some family ready to go,” Batherson said. “My dad got a fresh haircut and everything. He was ready to rock and I think he was more excited than I was. It’s disappointing, but hopefully I’ll be able to go to one again one day.”
The club did present Batherson with his Atlantic Division jersey from the game after captain Brady Tkachuk went as a replacement.
“It was special. It’s nice that the boys gave me that after the game,” said Batherson. “I had no idea it was coming. It was cool to be picked. Brady did a great job of representing us at the game. I was lucky enough to get a jersey. Got it hanging up at home. It’s a nice touch, for sure.”
The next jersey Batherson is looking forward to pulling on his No. 19 — and that day is fast approaching.
Twitter: @sungarrrioch
