The Senators and Marc Methot are just $300,000 per year apart in negotiations on a contract extension.

It seems to be either a very workable gap or an excuse for Ottawa to solve its blueline logjam by trading the veteran defenceman.

Methot is beginning to think the latter.

"It's at the stage where I'm really not comfortable that the team wants to do anything (on a new deal)," a disappointed Methot told the Sun Tuesday.

Entering the final season on a contract that has a $3 million cap hit and pays him a $3.75 million salary, Methot, an Ottawa native, is willing to sign up long term for what he feels is a "hometown discount."

But after GM Bryan Murray told TSN's Bob McKenzie he'd trade Methot rather than lose him to free agency, Methot's agent, Ottawa lawyer Larry Kelly, was taken aback to hear Murray and the two sides are not "in the same ball park right now."

"That's a surprising comment," Kelly told the Sun. "His last offer was 4.7 (million) over five years, starting at 4.5, and our last offer was 5 (million) AAV (average annual salary), over five years, starting at 4.5."

The Senators did not comment.

Kelly said he gave Ottawa the option of a sixth year at the same AAV.

"The average person will still look at that and go 'are you kidding me?'," said Methot. "But we've already conceded (dollars), over and over again."

As a comparable, Methot's camp was originally looking at the deal signed by defenceman Brooks Orpik, who will make a very generous $5.5 million a year over the next five from the Washington Capitals. Neither provides much offence, but Orpik is 33 and has won a Cup with Sidney Crosby's Pittsburgh Penguins, while Methot is 29 and a better skater who spends less time in the penalty box.

Yet a week ago, Kelly told the Senators they could lock up Methot for five years at a salary of $5.25 million. They've since lowered the number by a quarter of a mil per season.

"Larry feels that I've given a lot more than I need to be giving," said Methot. "I've done that because I love this city and I love the fans here."

Trading the popular Methot would surely draw the Senators some criticism because of his local ties and his eight-year veteran status among a young and still learning blueline corp. But they also have seven defencemen on one-way deals, and an eighth, Cody Ceci, who has more than proven he can play in the NHL, so they are interested in moving one of them.

Other than Erik Karlsson, who is going nowhere, Methot should get Ottawa the best return from a contending team. The Senators could also consider packaging him with Bobby Ryan if they feel the star winger, who is also in the final year of his deal, is getting ready to bolt.

Amid unconfirmed rumours Ryan turned down a seven-year, $49 million offer, talks between him and the team have been put on hold.

Ryan, another player the Senators cannot afford to lose for nothing, told a TV reporter he did not want to discuss his contract situation when he was approached at Sensplex Tuesday.

"I don't want a trade," said Methot. "Everyone knows, it's not a secret I want to play here. I'd been lying if I said otherwise. It's a treat to be able to play in front of my family and my friends. I've always got a ton of positive support from all the fans. Everyone loves I'm from the area and whatnot. I'm happy here. You're playing in Canada and it's fun."

The Senators have had a strong off-season, signing the likes of Clarke MacArthur, Craig Anderson, Robin Lehner, Mark Borowiecki and Eric Gryba to extensions. But with training camp about to start, the uncertain future of two core players looms large.

Twitter: @sundonib