Marc Methot To Binghamton On A Conditioning Stint

The Ottawa Senators announced on Friday that veteran d-man Marc Methot will have a conditioning stint in Binghamton. Methot has been dealing with back trouble since last April at the world championships.

Methot had previously considered a conditioning stint while Paul MacLean was in town, but as Bruce Garrioch tweeted Thursday, it sounded as though MacLean was blocking any prospects of an AHL stint.

The conditioning stint is set to begin this weekend and Methot is likely to return to Ottawa after Sunday. Binghamton is set to play Saturday and Sunday, in two games where Methot should be relied on as the team’s #1 defender.

The B-Sens face off against the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins and the Syracuse Crunch in Saturday/Sunday back-to-back games.

Dec 5, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Ottawa Senators defenseman Marc Methot (3) against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period at Tampa Bay Times Forum. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Methot is not unfamiliar with the AHL, as he spent 3 full seasons while in Columbus’ farm system. As a member of the Syracuse Crunch, Methot played 195 AHL games and recorded 42 points before making the NHL.

Methot joins an older Binghamton defensive squad as only 1 defender is under the age of 24. Frederik Claesson and Chris Wideman are Ottawa’ 2 legitimate prospects in Binghamton as players like Patrick Mullen, Alex Grant, and Aaron Johnson are veteran supports in Binghamton.  

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At 29, Methot is in a contract year. And thus far has played just 2 games for Ottawa. As the search for a contract from Ottawa continues, this is simply the next step in getting back into the lineup as a regular.

Marc will have the opportunity to go to Binghamton and play a simple game, the chance of gaining confidence and comfort on the ice is there as Methot can play the game at his roots and to a simple level.

Methot had inched his way into the lineup in December, but found his way out again. He’s going to be playing professional hockey, so as long as he feels good to go.. look for him to be back in an Ottawa uniform soon.