METHOT HAPPY HE’S NO LONGER LIVING ‘IN LIMBO’
Marc Methot didn’t want to move on but he’s happy he finally has a new home.
The former Senators defenceman, picked up by the Vegas Golden Knights in the expansion draft last Wednesday, told Postmedia Tuesday morning, in his first interview since being dealt to the Dallas Stars on Monday night, that he’s not thrilled with the whole process, but he’s happy he’s no longer in limbo.
Methot, 32, who spent five years with the Senators as Erik Karlsson’s defence partner, made it clear he feels no ill will toward general manager Pierre Dorion for being unprotected. Methot also revealed he spoke with alternate captain Dion Phaneuf to let him know there was no pressure to waive his “no move” clause.
“At first, between being exposed and then claimed, part of you is kind of sad and disappointed because this was my home and still is my home,” said Methot, an Ottawa native. “I was playing here and I was very happy here, and then you kind of go into a period when you get very frustrated because you still don’t know where your home is going to be next.
“I was kind of in limbo and that part was very difficult, as well.”
Methot doesn’t have any hard feelings toward the Senators because they had to protect captain Karlsson and Cody Ceci, and were forced to keep Phaneuf because he wouldn’t waive his no-trade clause.
“I have zero ill will towards anybody with regards to this process,” Methot said. “I know they were all put in a very difficult position and I’ve been saying that to everybody I know since the moment it happened.”
Methot said he spoke to Phaneuf after the season and told him to do whatever was right for him with his “no move” clause and not to feel any pressure.
“I reached out to Dorion before the protection process,” Methot said. “I just told him, ‘Dude, you don’t owe me anything. You worked hard for that and I’m not telling you what to do or what you’ve decided to do,’ but I let him know that, just to give him a little comfort in his decision.
“Dion and I are great friends. I have tons of respect for that guy. Nobody should hold any ill will against Dion. The guy likes playing in Ottawa. You can’t blame him. We have a great setup here and a great team. He’s earned every right to make that decision and I respect it.”
Before being exposed, Dorion talked to Methot to let him know this wasn’t what the organization wanted. However, they had little choice.
“Pierre was first class about it,” Methot said. “He didn’t have to reach out to me but he did. He spoke to me and let me know what was going on and I was very appreciative of that. The organization has been fantastic with me since I got here. I have no regrets or hard feelings with the team. I’m just grateful that I had the opportunity to play here.”
The only thing Methot didn’t like was the fact he was taken by Vegas only to be dealt. Instead of being excited to have him, the Knights wanted to use him to obtain another asset, which is why he was dealt to Dallas for a second-round pick in 2020 and prospect goalie Dylan Ferguson.
Methot is engaged to Ellie Campbell and the couple is expecting their first child.
“It’s one thing to get left unprotected, and like I said, I understand that part,” Methot said. “The part that I didn’t like was the part where I was completely uprooted — with my family and my unborn child — and left in a state of limbo for a week or two or whatever it was ... not knowing where we were going.
“That part wasn’t really fun. Again, I understand the process, but that doesn’t mean that I have to like it.”
There was a sense of relief and excitement when he got the call from Dallas GM Jim Nill that he’d been acquired by the Stars. He played for Dallas coach Ken Hitchcock in Columbus so the two are familiar with each other.
“I was definitely happy that the process was over with and that would be the best way to put it,” Methot said. “I’m pumped for sure. It’s sad I’m leaving Ottawa. It’s not something I imagined when you’re sweating and bleeding for the team in the playoffs, but now, in this position, I think it’s a great opportunity.
“If I’m to go anywhere, that would have been one of my prime destinations. Not that I had a choice, but it worked out well. They have a great team there. They’ve got (Ben Bishop) in net now and they’ve got a good (defensive) core, some great forwards and some veterans. It’s a great situation for me personally.”