Senators' Methot dealing with back issue; no return in sight

While much of the talk surrounding Ottawa Senators defenseman Marc Methot is revolving around his stalled contract extension negotiations with the club, the 29-year-old remains off the ice due to a back issue that's believed to date back to the 2014 World Championships.

Methot missed the team's first two games and head coach Paul MacLean told reporters Saturday that there's no timetable for his return to the lineup.

"It's been evaluated and re-evaluated already. The doctors see him regularly to see if anything more has to be done or what actually has to be done," MacLean said, according to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun. "He's doing rehab. He's doing whatever the therapists are telling him to do but nothing more than that.

In 75 games last season, Methot recorded six goals, 17 assists, 117 shots and an even plus-minus rating. He also posted a Corsi For rating of 47.8, according to War On Ice.

Methot is believed to be seeking a deal in the neighborhood of five years and $27.5 million dollars. His case will only be weakened the longer he's hindered by the injury.