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Editor's note: On Feb. 16, Marc Methot signed a four-year extension with the Senators worth $4.9 million a season. The Ottawa Senators are going to miss the playoffs just like their provincial cousins in Toronto, but that's about where the comparison between the two clubs ends. There's no talk of total overhaul in Ottawa, no dramatic blowing up of the roster. While the Senators are very disappointed that they haven't contended for a playoff spot this season -- in the preseason general manager Bryan Murray certainly thought his team could contend -- most of the pieces are still in place to turn things around, and there's no need for a serious facelift of the roster. It's mostly a young group that will continue to develop.  As such, although the Senators will look to move two or three bodies before the March 2 trade deadline, they're not having a fire sale like many of their non-playoff friends. Status: Sellers. Available: Well, Marc Methot would be a rock-star addition to the trade market if agent Mike Liut and Senators management are unable to hash out the terms of a contract extension. The pending unrestricted free agent is a terrific top-four blueliner whom contenders would salivate over. His availability will depend on contract talks that are scheduled to take place early next week. Just know that the Senators won't let the contract talks drag out to March 2. As one source suggested, if the Senators still don't have a deal in place by the time they embark on their West Coast trip on Feb. 25, then trade talks will begin in earnest. While we wait and see whether Methot becomes available, there's also the question of Chris Neil. A week ago the sense was that he could be on the move, as his role under new coach Dave Cameron had diminished. But a source told ESPN.com Friday that things are better in that area now and Neil is happy to stay put. The respected longtime Senator has another season left on his deal ($1.9 million cap hit), which is why this isn't an obvious trade situation. As of Friday, 10 teams had showed interest in the rugged winger. And while you can never rule out the Senators getting the kind of offer they can't refuse, the sense as of Friday was that Neil would likely stay put. The fractured thumb he suffered in a fight Saturday would also seem to definitively take him off the trading block. As for another longtime Senator, defenseman Chris Phillips, it's pretty straightforward: The Senators will let Phillips dictate things. If a contender calls with a deal that interests Phillips, he makes the call. But as of Friday, there didn't seem to be a lot of interest. Perhaps as contenders strike out on the most sought-after defensemen on the market, they will come back at the 11th hour for Phillips, who has another season left on his deal that carries a $2.5 million cap hit. Whatever the case, the Senators have eight defensemen and hope to trade at least one of them before the March 2 trade deadline, even if that means finally moving a guy such as Patrick Wiercioch. Up front, the Senators would definitely move center David Legwand if they could find a buyer. Legwand, however, has another season left on his deal, which carries a $3 million cap hit and pays him $3.5 million in salary next season. So it won't be easy. Finances: The Senators have one of the smallest payrolls in the NHL, so the salary cap might as well be the holy grail as far as being a factor. But money itself is a factor, which is why I think they'd love to move Legwand's contract. Scouting the GM: Veteran Murray, who continues his courageous fight against cancer, has barely taken a day off as he continues to run the club during a busy time. No question, he's disappointed at how the team has fared this season, but he also thinks the Sens can quickly turn that around next season. His No. 1 goal is to add a top-six forward; he didn't have the goods to get in on the Evander Kane derby, but it's something the Senators will want to accomplish in the offseason unless something presents itself before March 2, which is doubtful.
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