As we dive into the 2026 offseason, let's talk about Artem Zub, a cornerstone of the Ottawa Senators' blue line. Despite an untimely injury in Game 1 of the playoffs that sidelined him after a collision with Seth Jarvis, Zub's season was nothing short of stellar. His absence was keenly felt as the Senators struggled to contain the Carolina Hurricanes, leading to a swift playoff exit.
Zub is on the mend from his lower-body injury, with expectations to be back to full training soon. This recovery comes just in time as he gears up for the final year of his $4.6 million per season contract.
The buzz around the Senators' camp is that Steve Staios will be keen to lock Zub into a contract extension, potentially upping his salary to the $6 million to $6.5 million range. With Zub turning 31, a four or five-year extension seems likely, a move that could prove to be a savvy cap-friendly decision as the salary cap rises.
Zub's role extends beyond just his on-ice contributions; his leadership and experience are vital for grooming the next generation of Senators' defensemen like Carter Yakemchuk and possibly Logan Hensler. This past season, Zub was a workhorse, suiting up for 81 games and logging an average of 20:48 on the ice per game.
He set career highs with five goals, 25 assists, and a total of 30 points, while boasting an impressive +22 rating. His 120 blocked shots were crucial in mitigating scoring threats against a sometimes shaky goaltending backdrop.
The dynamic duo of Zub and Jake Sanderson was a defensive juggernaut, posting a league-best expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60) of 1.87 for pairings with over 900 minutes together. This formidable pairing allowed the coaching staff to strategically manage matchups, providing shelter to younger players like Jordan Spence. On his own, Zub's xGA/60 of 2.20 placed him among the elite shutdown defensemen in the league.
Looking ahead, Zub's role will be pivotal in taking on top defensive assignments while easing the transition for young talents like Yakemchuk. By handling the bulk of defensive-zone starts, Zub offers a steady presence that will be instrumental in the development of Ottawa's future blue line.
As we anticipate the upcoming season, Zub remains a linchpin for the Senators, expected to continue as the most reliable right-shot defenseman in the defensive zone. With an 84-game regular season on the horizon, fans can look forward to another year of stellar defense from the Zub-Sanderson pairing, a duo that has proven to be one of the NHL's best.
In Other News...
Senators Could Lose An RFA Forward For Almost Nothing
The Senators may have another roster issue simmering before the next round of contract business even gets fully underway. Elliotte Friedman reported that a restricted free agent forward is looking for a way out of Ottawa because the path to meaningful NHL minutes is not clear, and the club would still hold his rights if he decides to press the issue. For a team trying to manage its forward depth carefully, it is the kind of situation that can turn into a trade conversation quickly, especially when the player in question is still trying to translate strong minor-league production into a more stable NHL role.
There is also the wrinkle of an offer sheet, which would put Ottawa in a different kind of bind depending on how another club structures the deal. The compensation would hinge on the contract value, with the return changing significantly above or below the relevant threshold, so the Senators could be forced to decide whether to match, negotiate a trade, or risk losing the asset for very little. For a front office that already has to balance opportunity, depth and cap planning, it is one more negotiation thread worth watching closely. [Read more 🡒]
Claude Giroux Suddenly Puts Ottawa In A Position Fans Feared
Claude Girouxs future in Ottawa has quietly become one of the more delicate roster questions of the summer. After four seasons with the Senators, he has given them the kind of reliable two-way presence they value, producing at both ends of the ice while fitting into a lineup that still leans on veteran poise. The problem is that what the Senators want from Giroux and what they can realistically fit into the roster are not quite the same thing right now.
Pierre LeBruns report only sharpened the uncertainty around a player Ottawa would clearly like to keep. The Senators remain interested in bringing him back, but depth on the forward group and salary-cap pressure are pushing the conversation into difficult territory. For a team that has already spent years trying to build the right supporting cast, Girouxs situation is a reminder that sometimes the hardest decisions are the ones involving the players who have helped stabilize the room. [Read more 🡒]
Senators Fans Finally Got A Key Prospect Sign They Needed
For a Senators development camp that has plenty of attention on the usual group of young skaters, the sight of Carter Hensler back on the ice carried a different kind of weight. The defense prospect had been sidelined after an injury in January and spent months working through rehab, so simply getting back into drills this week was an encouraging step for a player whose momentum had been interrupted just as he was trying to build it.
Henslers return also adds another layer to a camp that is already giving Ottawa a look at prospects with different kinds of upside, including Kasper Halttunen, who arrives with a scorers resume and a history of helping drive winning teams. For the Senators, the appeal is obvious: development camp is about talent, but it is also about seeing who can get back on the ice, settle in again and start turning promise into something more reliable. [Read more 🡒]