Marc Methot Signs 4-Year Extension

With Bobby Ryan, Craig Anderson, and Clarke MacArthur signing during the offseason and Jason Spezza traded in July, Ottawa's significant 2015 UFA class had just one big name remaining: Marc Methot. After a summer of disagreement and public negotiations, things had been quiet on the Methot contract front for most of the season while he was out with injury.

Back in action and looking great with Erik Karlsson, the Sens and Methot finally ended the speculation this morning, announcing that the Ottawa local has committed to another four years in the capital:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>BREAKING: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sens?src=hash">#Sens</a> sign defenceman Marc Methot to a four-year contract extension. <a href="http://t.co/rie8Z8NXHM">pic.twitter.com/rie8Z8NXHM</a></p>&mdash; Ottawa Senators (@Senators) <a href="https://twitter.com/Senators/status/567335547396698113">February 16, 2015</a></blockquote>
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Great news for the Senators as Methot is one of the team's best defensemen and had he been traded at the deadline because a deal couldn't be agreed on the improvement of Ottawa's blueline would require an additional upgrade.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sens?src=hash">#Sens</a> Methot’s contract has an AAV of $4.9 million. ($4.9M in each of the four seasons).</p>&mdash; Ottawa Senators (@Senators) <a href="https://twitter.com/Senators/status/567335921994170368">February 16, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sens?src=hash">#Sens</a> Methot’s contract includes a modified 10-team no trade clause.</p>&mdash; Ottawa Senators (@Senators) <a href="https://twitter.com/Senators/status/567336137073905666">February 16, 2015</a></blockquote>
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I'm actually a little surprised to see this deal come in with an AAV under $5 million given the off-season signing of Brooks Orpik and the recent extension to Marc Staal. The modified NTC is not surprising at all, as these things are pretty much a given for UFAs these days, but great that the organization was upfront about it. It looks like in the end Methot was willing to take a bit of a hometown discount to stay in Ottawa, a smart move given that this provides him with contract security after a season marred by injury. It's a good deal for the Senators too, who secure a top-4 defenseman for below market value. Keeping the deal to four years let's the team and player re-evaluate before his play seriously declines.

Do you like the Methot signing?