Senators Get Tough Update on Artem Zub Timeline

The news is not great for the Ottawa Senators on top-pairing defenseman Artem Zub. He hasn't been working out at camp due to a knee injury from last season's playoffs that still hasn't healed, and head coach Travis Green has confirmed that “I don’t see him being ready to start the season with where he’s at right now."

Travis Green says he doesn't see Artem Zub "being ready to start the season." #Sens Still has a lingering knee injury from the playoff series against the Hurricanes.

— Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) September 23, 2026

Zub is still rehabbing the injury and has been skating a bit, but obviously not to the point where he'll be in the Opening Night lineup next week. 

"He's skating a little more," said Green. "It’s a slow process, but we are seeing progression.”

Zub did not have surgery on the issue that came up in Game 1 of the Senators' first-round four-game sweep at the hands of the eventual Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes. 

The 30-year-old (31 next week) is a pending UFA after the season, as he's wrapping his four-year deal with a $4.6 million AAV. He posted a career-high 25 assists and 30 points and +22 rating last season in 81 games, logging 20:48 average ice time, while blocking 120 shots. 

Zub, when he is recovered, will be going into his 7th NHL season, all with Ottawa. The Russian defender was signed as an undrafted free agent six years ago, and this season, is set to surpass 400 games played. 

The Sens are short on the blueline at the moment, as Jake Sanderson is also out at the moment, but only for "precautionary" reasons. Nothing serious. “I don’t even want call it an injury,” Green said.