Player Discussion Artem Zub (D) Part 2 [Extended 4 years @ $4.6M]

[Ice-Tray]

Zub is nasty, and I love it.

He is an important part of our top4 going forward in my opinion.

 

[Erik Alfredsson]

Defensive players get labelled "complimentary" when really they are doing most of the heavy-lifting, at least on the back end.

Zub is also a clear step above Jensen, whom is five years older than Zub.

Zub very much is a #2D in this league. We are very lucky to have him. This guy can do most things, even score breakaway goals, but since he is our most defensively-reliable player (stronger and more physical than Sanderson) he takes on the less "flashy" duties.

At the very least, people shouldn't equate "complimentary" with "not as important". Erik Karlsson was able to be a game breaking talent for us because he had Marc Methot who was a wicked complimentary defenseman that was able to play in a way that allowed Karlsson to play at his best.

You need those type of defensemen. Devon Toews is the modern example of what a great complimentary defenseman will do for the top end talent.

 

[NyQuil]

Complementary.

Complimentary defencemen say nice things about people.

 

[bicboi64]

Zub is the 2nd most important player on our blueline. If one of Chabot or Sanderson are injured, the other can step up, but no one can adequately be a shutdown guy of the same calibre as Zub. The dude does all the little things right and is always composed. We need to find another player like him and we'll be set.

 

[NyQuil]

Zub is the 2nd most important player on our blueline. If one of Chabot or Sanderson are injured, the other can step up, but no one can adequately be a shutdown guy of the same calibre as Zub. The dude does all the little things right and is always composed. We need to find another player like him and we'll be set.

Every team in the league is looking for a guy like Zub.

 

[Micklebot]

Zub is the 2nd most important player on our blueline. If one of Chabot or Sanderson are injured, the other can step up, but no one can adequately be a shutdown guy of the same calibre as Zub. The dude does all the little things right and is always composed. We need to find another player like him and we'll be set.

I feel like the addition of Jensen really insulates us wrt Zub. In the past, he goes down and we suddenly had rookie JBD on our top pairing. Now, not only is JBD a bit more developed, but Jensen is the one stepping in.

Jensen may not be as good as Zub, but he's a big step up from what we had in the past, he skates well, makes good decisions with the puck, doesn't handle it like a grenade.

This season, we have backup plans if guys get hurt. Chabot goes down, we have Sanderson to pick up the slack offensively. Zub goes down, Jensen is there. At center, if Norris goes down, we have Pinto and Greig who can both step up.

The only position I'm worried about injuries for is Ullmark...

 

[bicboi64]

I feel like the addition of Jensen really insulates us wrt Zub. In the past, he goes down and we suddenly had rookie JBD on our top pairing. Now, not only is JBD a bit more developed, but Jensen is the one stepping in.

Jensen may not be as good as Zub, but he's a big step up from what we had in the past, he skates well, makes good decisions with the puck, doesn't handle it like a grenade.

This season, we have backup plans if guys get hurt. Chabot goes down, we have Sanderson to pick up the slack offensively. Zub goes down, Jensen is there. At center, if Norris goes down, we have Pinto and Greig who can both step up.

The only position I'm worried about injuries for is Ullmark...

Definitely an improvement over past years. I hope we can draft and develop another Zub/Jensen type guy they are so underrated and our top defenders have always played well when they was a shut down guy beside them that could skate and do the little things right (Meth, DeMelo, Zub, etc.,). If JBD can become that, you'll read in the news, local Toronto dude won't stop doing backflips out of joy.

Let's hope Ullmark's back can just plain ole carry lol

 

[Micklebot]

Definitely an improvement over past years. I hope we can draft and develop another Zub/Jensen type guy they are so underrated and our top defenders have always played well when they was a shut down guy beside them that could skate and do the little things right (Meth, DeMelo, Zub, etc.,). If JBD can become that, you'll read in the news, local Toronto dude won't stop doing backflips out of joy.

Let's hope Ullmark's back can just plain ole carry lol

It's worth noting, JBD is the a year younger than DeMelo was when he found his stride here in Ottawa, same with Zub who was also 25 when he joined the team. Guenette is two years younger.

Even Methot wasn't really seen in the same light until he found a partner to complement in Karlsson. Toews didn't take off until he was 25-26 and really exploded with Makar.

D take longer to realize their potential, especially the guys that aren't flashy offensively.