Marc Methot A Healthy Scratch – What’s The Message?

After some confusion over whether or not holding Marc Methot out of the lineup on Tuesday against Washington was injury related or otherwise, there is no confusion today.

For the second game in a row, Marc Methot will not be in the lineup when the Senators take on the Tampa Bay Lightning, and this time it is acknowledged that it is indeed a healthy scratch.

Dec 9, 2013; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Philadelphia Flyers right wing Steve Downie (9) is checked by Ottawa Senators defenseman Marc Methot (3) in the third period at the Canadian Tire Centre.The Senators defeated the Flyers 5-4 in a shoot-out. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

It is no secret that Methot hasn’t been as good as he was last year, where he was a saviour on a young and injury ravaged blue line.  This year he has struggled, whether he has been trying to do too much or simply was playing over his head last season.

Is the coaching staff sending a message in making the defenseman, who was acknowledged as a member of the leadership group at the start of the season, and if so, what is it?

If it is to “play better”, that can’t be accomplished with him sitting in the press box. If it is something else, apparently Methot doesn’t know what that is based on his comments.

Either way, on any given night Methot is still one of the 6 best blueliners on the Senators roster and should be in the lineup.  His presence gives Ottawa a better chance to win games than him watching from above.  For the second time in a month or so, this has happened.

By the way, Methot has 1 year left on his contract, and if they have designs on re-signing him to a contract that might include a bit of a home-town discount, then I am not sure alienating him lie this is the way to go about that.

Whatever happens, you can be sure Methot will be chomping at the bit to get back in.  You could argue that you can’t say Paul MacLean made a mistake last game because they won, but you would be wrong.  Winning or losing doesn’t necessarily mean the right decisions were made.  You can win in spite of a decision, not because of one.  If they lose this one, there will be more questions than answers.