"Blue Jackets defenseman Marc Methot, as expected, has filed for salary arbitration ahead of today's 5 p.m deadline. This does not necessarily suggest a contract stalemate; it's merely a right that restricted free agents get to exercise.

In fact, all indications are that a deal between the Blue Jackets and Methot is very close.

Methot, 26, filed for arbitration two years ago before settling on a two-year, $2.025 contract at the 11th hour. Much has changed since the 2009 off-season, when Methot was coming off his first full NHL season."