A nice little piece of news to wake up to as a Senators fan today, and that is that the Ottawa Senators have signed Marc Methot to a 4-year extension, with an AAV of $4.9 million.
The extension comes after trade speculation around Methot all season, and now it’s nice to know Methot will remain in Ottawa for the next 4 years. Methot had also missed more than 30 of the teams games in the early going, and was assigned to Binghamton on a conditioning stint.
Methot has previously dealt with back troubles, which is still a cause for concern. Methot’s deal also includes a limited NTC, where Methot can submit a list of 10 teams he cannot be traded to.
BREAKING: #Sens sign defenceman Marc Methot to a four-year contract extension. pic.twitter.com/rie8Z8NXHM
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) February 16, 2015
For the Senators, the deal marks the final of the 4 major UFA’s the Senators had going into 2015. Clarke MacArthur, Bobby Ryan, and Craig Anderson being the others. After concern that the money “wasn’t there” it’s nice to see the organization stepping up and retaining the services of their veteran core.
The season could end poorly, but with the veteran support and young core of this team, there will be brighter times ahead for the Senators.
Now the focus shifts to the teams pending RFA’s who will need new deal. Mika Zibanejad, Mark Stone, and Mike Hoffman are three of the teams brightest youngsters who need contracts for the 15-16 season.
__
For Methot, the deal comes as a nice little bonus after having worked in the AHL and up from junior ranks, where he earns his first significant professional contract.
Previously on a $3.25 million dollar deal which had seemed like an overpayment by some in Columbus, Methot was shipped to the Senators for F Nick Foligno, then a pending RFA. Foligno has moved on and since found a great new home in Columbus, while Methot now makes Ottawa his longer-term home.
Methot won’t be moving at the trade deadline, and that comes as a nice little bonus to the Senators lineup. Earlier in the week, a piece was published in the Ottawa Sun by Don Brennan, who in discussing with teammates of Methot had discovered his importance to the club.
This from Erik Karlsson:
"He’s a big part of our team.Guys like him, even though he doesn’t put up tons of points every year … he’s important to have. He’s a veteran and he plays hard every night. Obviously he’s a major key to my success as well. We’ve been playing together for a while, and been playing really good with him. Obviously if he goes for whatever reason, it’s going to hurt not only the team but me as well"
Karlsson and teammates can now sleep easy, Methot is here to stay and on a shiny new, 4-year contract.