BUFFALO

The clock is ticking on Marc Methot and the Senators.

And, he made it clear Monday, there is no place like home.

With the NHL trade deadline set for March 2 at 3 p.m. EST less than three weeks away, the Senators' defenceman is hopeful planned contract talks between his Detroit-based agent Mike Liut and assistant GM Pierre Dorion can result in getting a contract extension in place.

If it doesn't get done, then Senators GM Bryan Murray has stated quite emphatically Methot, 29, will be traded. Sources say there is lots of interest with plenty of teams looking for defencemen, but Ottawa's top priority is to keep Methot here.

"I hope it settles quick," said Methot before the club's one-hour flight here Monday after practice at the Canadian Tire Centre. "I'd be lying to you if I said I wasn't thinking about it every day. This kind of stuff is hard to ignore.

"The potential of being moved is real at this point. It's no secret that I want to stay here. At this point, I'm leaving it all to my agent and the team to settle it. All I can do is play."

There have been no substantive contract talks between the Senators and Methot's camp since October. It's believed Methot's camp would like a five-year deal in the $4.75-to-$5 million range to keep him here.

Since talks were put aside, Methot's representation has changed to Liut because Ottawa lawyer Larry Kelly will retire from Octagon Hockey in the next few months. Liut met with the Senators two weeks ago in Ottawa and asked them to hold off to see how Methot performed.

Methot only came back from a muscle pull that had him sidelined most of the first half last month. Once he did return, everybody wanted to make sure he stayed healthy and judging by the way he's contributed, Methot is 100%.

"I wasn't there for the past discussions. I was aware of what was going on and what was being said. We had a little time off there where things were shut down there for a little while and that was probably smart," he said.

"Now that there's a little pressure on both sides -- and for myself included -- to get something done, I'm hoping that will speed the process up. I know that (Liut) is taking over now. I've got all the respect in the world for (Kelly) because he's taken care of me since I was 15-years-old. They're both professionals. They both handle things differently. I just hope it gets settled."

The Senators might not be where they expected at this point, but Methot is buoyed by what the future holds. Captain Erik Karlsson is signed long-term while forwards Clarke MacArthur and Bobby Ryan along with goalie Craig Anderson have all signed extensions.

Methot, dealt here from Columbus in exchange for winger Nick Foligno in July, 2012, is convinced the future is bright.

"Of course I am (optimistic). You have to be," Methot said. "When you look at Columbus, maybe not so much this season, they kind of had a big rebuild but a lot of their young guys had a great run last year.

"It's no different here. We have a lot of good young players that are coming in and the team is growing. People need to be aware with guys like (Mike Hoffman, Mika Zibanejad, Curtis Lazar and Cody Ceci) that's a good sign. At the same time, there's a lot of growing pains and we're going through that right now. Unfortunately, for them to get better, they have to play a lot. You go through these patches. You'd like to think our future looks bright."

Naturally, Methot has good chemistry with Karlsson.

"Erik's probably one of the tightest guys I've been with on and off the ice. Even off the ice we're pretty close friends," said Methot. "We're working towards trying to get something done. With Erik, you can't teach that chemistry and I'm fortunate to be in this position."

Methot said his preference is to stay.

"Again, I'm doing what I can to get something done," Methot said.

Time is of the essence.

STAY HOME DEFENCEMAN?

WHAT: Marc Methot will be a UFA on July 1.

WHY IT MATTERS: If he doesn't sign a new deal by the March 2 trade deadline, Methot will be dealt by GM Bryan Murray. Talks between his agent Mike Liut and assistant GM Pierre Dorion are expected this week.

WHO'S INTERESTED: Lots of teams are looking for defencemen like Methot including Detroit, Los Angeles, Anaheim, Vancouver and San Jose.

QUOTE: "I'm doing what I can to get something done." -- Methot on negotiations.

Twitter: @sungarrioch