Columbus Blue Jackets re-signs key defenseman Marc Methot to a 4-year, $12 million deal –NHL Update
Columbus Blue Jackets retained one of its top defenseman, Marc Methot, to a four-year, $12 million deal on Tuesday, announced by the team's general manager, Scott Howson.
Methot became a restricted free agent on Friday, July 1, and now he will be spending the sixth straight season with Columbus Blue Jackets.
"We are very happy to have re-signed Marc as we think he is just beginning to reach his full potential as a National Hockey League defenseman", Howson said. "He has worked very hard to improve each season and we believe he will continue to be a key contributor
on our blue line".
Marc Methot is ranked second in Blue Jackets' line-up with 176 hits and as a defenseman, he ranks third with regard to blocked shots, a record of 98.
He played 74 games with Columbus Blue Jackets last season and registered a total of 15 points, all of which were assists, and finished with a plus-minus rating of 2.
According to Methot, he knows where he wants to be, and it seems like Columbus Blue Jackets was his top choice during the minor time frame he spent in the 2011 National Hockey League's (NHL) free agency market.
"This is where I want to be and where I want to play", Methot said about rejoining Columbus. "I'm comfortable here. I'm excited about where this team is headed, and I really wanted to make sure I was a part of that. I've made a lot of friends in Columbus,
even outside of the hockey world”.
The 26-year-old from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, was drafted in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft as the 168th overall pick in round-six by Columbus.
He continued to play in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with London Knights and was a part of London's Memorial Cup winning team in 2005.
Methot also played with Columbus Blue Jacket's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, Syracuse Crunch, for three seasons and remained a recall for two seasons until completing a full season with Columbus in the 2008-2009 season.
Having now become one of the most reliable Blue Jackets' defenseman, Methot has played a total of 229 NHL games with the NHL franchise and currently boasts a record of 44 points with 6 goals and 38 assists.
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