"Defenseman Marc Methot had just left the office of his agent in downtown Ottawa when his cellphone lit up, courtesy of Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson.

The two parties had just agreed to a four-year, $12million contract through the 2014-15 season, one that came together surprisingly quick. It's the longest and most lucrative deal of Methot's career, and it allows Columbus to sign him three years past the age at which he can become an unrestricted free agent.

"I just talked to him, right after the deal was signed," Howson said. "And I told him, 'You've worked very hard, you've persevered through difficult times to get to today. You probably played longer in the (minor leagues) than you thought you would. You deserve this contract, but this is only the beginning.'

"When we look at Marc and at Marc's game he has come a long way in a relatively short time, but we still feel like there's room for him to grow, more elements of his game that can come through."

Methot, a restricted free agent, had filed for arbitration rights by yesterday's 5p.m. deadline, but that was largely a procedural move to protect him if contract negotiations reached a stalemate.

The 26-year-old will make $2.25 million this coming season, then $2.75 million in 2012-13, $3.25 million in 2013-14 and $3.75 million in 2014-15. He made $1.05 million last season."