The Ottawa Senators may have to open the regular season without one of the defensemen who anchors their blue line.
Head coach Travis Green told reporters, including TSN’s Bruce Garrioch, that Artem Zub is unlikely to be ready when the season begins. Zub is still working back from the knee injury he suffered in Ottawa’s first-round loss in the 2026 postseason to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes.
That’s a significant setback for a Senators team trying to build on back-to-back Stanley Cup Playoff appearances, even if those runs have yet to produce a series win. Zub has been a fixture on the back end, especially on the top pair with Jake Sanderson, where the two have developed strong chemistry.
The 30-year-old right-shot defenseman has long been valued for his work in his own end, but last season he also put up the best offensive numbers of his career. In 81 games, he finished with 30 points, including five goals and 26 assists.
Ottawa was a better team with Zub on the ice at 5-on-5, too. The Senators controlled 51.58 percent of the expected goals and 51.67 percent of the high-danger scoring chances in those minutes.
Health has been a recurring issue for Zub. Before last season, he played 53, 69 and 56 games in the three previous regular seasons.
If Zub does need more time, Green does have some options on the right side. Jordan Spence is on the roster, and Carter Yakemchuk is also in the mix as a highly-touted prospect.
In Other News...
Senators Roster Battles Start Taking Shape Against Toronto
Ottawas preseason schedule starts to feel a little more real with the Senators splitting into two groups for a pair of games against the Maple Leafs, a setup that gives the club a chance to sort through roster questions while both teams still search for their first exhibition win. The lineups have already been announced, and they include a mix of established names and players trying to carve out their place, with Tim Sttzle, Drake Batherson, Andre Burakovsky and Thomas Chabot all set to be part of the evenings look.
For a team still trying to separate the locks from the long shots, these first preseason matchups are where the picture begins to sharpen. Ottawa has two games at 7:00 p.m. EST on the board, and the split-squad approach should give the coaching staff a better read on how the group is shaping up, especially with some of the rosters most important pieces stepping into the spotlight for the first time. [Read more 🡒]
Senators Blue Line Suddenly Has An Opening Night Concern
The Senators defense has already been tested before the preseason even really gets rolling, with Jake Sanderson and Artem Zub both unavailable as Ottawa heads into its second night of exhibition action. Sandersons situation has been described as minor by head coach Travis Green, while Zub also remains out, leaving the club to sort through its options as it splits into two groups for simultaneous games against Montreal.
For a team still sorting out the blue line, these preseason looks matter more than usual. Green is using the pair of games to evaluate how players respond under game conditions and to see which defensive combinations can hold up if the depth chart gets stretched early, but the bigger question around the back end is still hanging over camp. [Read more 🡒]
Senators Roster Battle Took A Tough Turn Against Toronto's Split Squad
The Senators fight for spots in camp took a hit at Canadian Tire Centre, where Toronto arrived with a split squad and still left with a 4-2 preseason win. With the Maple Leafs resting their biggest names, the game still had plenty of value for both sides, especially for players trying to make an impression before opening night. Ottawa got goals in the mix from players pushing for jobs, while Torontos lineup was able to generate enough timely offense to keep the home side chasing.
Ottawa did manage to claw level briefly after Hoyt Stanley finished off a slick backhand in the third period, giving the building a short burst of hope. But the Senators could not turn that moment into a lasting push, and the late stages tilted Torontos way again as the roster battle got a little tighter and a little tougher. Ottawa now turns to its preseason finale against the Montreal Canadiens, with a final chance to sort out the last details before the real games begin. [Read more 🡒]