Senators sign defenseman Artem Zub to a one-year deal
While the Ottawa Senators haven’t hit the ice since the National Hockey League suspended play back on March 12th due to the COVID-19 pandemic, that hasn’t stopped their front office from working hard and making moves to shore up the squad going forward.
In a press release on Friday Morning, the Senators announced that they had signed Russian defenseman Artem Zub to a one-year entry-level contract. Zub had been plying his trade in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) with SKA St. Petersburg. The 24-year-old had a career high in goals (13), assists (9) and points (22) in 57 games this season. He had the second most goals by a defenseman in the entire league.
“We’re pleased that Artem has elected to pursue an NHL career here in Ottawa,” said Senators general manager Pierre Dorion in the release. “Artem is a smart defensive defenceman who moves the puck well and who utilizes his strength and mobility to make plays. His extensive international resume will help him transition to a North American style of play but his key attribute is his sound ability to defend.”
The youngster has quite a bit of international experience, having won a gold medal with the Olympic Athletes of Russia in the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, as well as, two bronze medals with Russia at the IIHF World Hockey Championships in 2017 and 2019.
The acquisition provides the Senators with one of the most sought after defenseman not playing in the NHL, on a risk-free and cheap contract. It also allows for Zub to prove himself in the world’s best league and make a lot more money if he can do so.
The Senators could certainly use the help considering they’ve reached the postseason just once in the last four seasons. They haven’t been to the playoffs since losing in the Eastern Conference final in 2017 and were not looking very likely to end the streak this season. Prior to play being halted, only one team in the entire league had less points than the Senators through 71 games – the Detroit Red Wings.
The Senators were atrocious at the back, allowing an abysmal 243 goals. Again, only one in the NHL conceded more goals – the Detroit Red Wings. Both Senators’ fans and players alike will be excited at the potential of what Zub brings.
While Zub likely won’t be lifting the Stanley Cup next year in Ottawa, the move does afford him the opportunity to make a real name for himself on this side of the pond as ice time shouldn’t be too difficult to come by. It remains to be seen how he adjusts to life in Canada both on and off the ice though.
Zub has spent his entire professional career playing in the KHL, split between his current team in St. Petersburg and his hometown club Khabarovsk Amur. The Russian is already in his sixth season scoring 19 goals, 35 assists and 54 points in 256 career games.
The 2020-2021 NHL season has yet to be officially cancelled as officials are still hoping that the campaign can be concluded, but no timeline for a re-start in play has been established as of yet.
