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.

 

[TheNewEra]

no zub at practice

pairings are
Sanderson-Hamonic
Chabot-Jensen
Kleven-JBD

...yikes

 

[StutzlingAway]

now that’s rough!

 

[Loach]

no zub at practice

pairings are
Sanderson-Hamonic
Chabot-Jensen
Kleven-JBD

...yikes

Oh dear. Lol.

 

[Micklebot]

no zub at practice

pairings are
Sanderson-Hamonic
Chabot-Jensen
Kleven-JBD

...yikes

about that...

https://x.com/i/web/status/1846582536383692937

 

[TheNewEra]

about that...

https://x.com/i/web/status/1846582536383692937

so everyone the over is looking really nice for tomorrows game

 

[bicboi64]

Man we really pissed off the hockey gods, can't catch a break on the injury bug at all.

 

[BonHoonLayneCornell]

Hopefully Andlauer's medical facility investments start paying off.

 

[Speatleysson]

Zub has a concussion as per Garrioch

 

[senswon]

Zub has a concussion as per Garrioch

 

[Hale The Villain]

no zub at practice

pairings are
Sanderson-Hamonic
Chabot-Jensen
Kleven-JBD

...yikes

One injury to the right side and Hamonic is playing top 4 minutes.

One injury to the left side and Roos/Davies are playing in the NHL.

I love a lot of what Staios has done this off-season, but neglecting to add depth on D was unnacceptable.

 

[armani]

One injury to the right side and Hamonic is playing top 4 minutes.

One injury to the left side and Roos/Davies are playing in the NHL.

I love a lot of what Staios has done this off-season, but neglecting to add depth on D was unnacceptable.

I don't think Staios neglected it, rather inherited Dorion's mess (1-way contracts to Hamonic and JBD that nobody will pick up for free/on waivers). He got Chychrun out and Jensen in, addressing the top-4 need. The 3rd pairing is absolutely shit as I have mentioned in other posts, as were waiver wire availabilities. This will have to be addressed at some point, but in the meantime the 3rd pairing being the weakest link is hardly as bad as a missing starting goalie or a top-4 defensive defenceman (Ullmark, Jensen).

I am expecting JBD to get his chance with Zub out and prove he is a better fit for bottom-6. Hamonic is more suited as a #7.

 

[SpezDispenser]

Oh gosh...

 

[Burrowsaurus]

One injury to the right side and Hamonic is playing top 4 minutes.

One injury to the left side and Roos/Davies are playing in the NHL.

I love a lot of what Staios has done this off-season, but neglecting to add depth on D was unnacceptable.

I was personally told hamonic was a 7 and only playing on the bottom pair in the event of an injury.

 

[Gil Gunderson]

I don't think Staios neglected it, rather inherited Dorion's mess (1-way contracts to Hamonic and JBD that nobody will pick up for free/on waivers). He got Chychrun out and Jensen in, addressing the top-4 need. The 3rd pairing is absolutely shit as I have mentioned in other posts, as were waiver wire availabilities. This will have to be addressed at some point, but in the meantime the 3rd pairing being the weakest link is hardly as bad as a missing starting goalie or a top-4 defensive defenceman (Ullmark, Jensen).

I am expecting JBD to get his chance with Zub out and prove he is a better fit for bottom-6. Hamonic is more suited as a #7.

There was still more Staios could have done. The Hamonic buyout was on the table and there would have been enough cap space to get a serviceable bottom pairing.

 

[Oscar The Grouch]

Zub and Chabot are so injury-prone that you literally can only count them as one defenceman.

 

[Hale The Villain]

I don't think Staios neglected it, rather inherited Dorion's mess (1-way contracts to Hamonic and JBD that nobody will pick up for free/on waivers). He got Chychrun out and Jensen in, addressing the top-4 need. The 3rd pairing is absolutely shit as I have mentioned in other posts, as were waiver wire availabilities. This will have to be addressed at some point, but in the meantime the 3rd pairing being the weakest link is hardly as bad as a missing starting goalie or a top-4 defensive defenceman (Ullmark, Jensen).

I am expecting JBD to get his chance with Zub out and prove he is a better fit for bottom-6. Hamonic is more suited as a #7.

Dorion can be blamed for a lot, but not this.

There were plenty of solid depth options available this summer to provide insurance on the right and left side.

Devils added Kovacevic from the Habs for a 4th round pick in 2026. We could have easily beat that and he'd easily be our 3rd best RD for only 766k. Has 4 points in 6 games for them and is responsible defensively.

Haydn Fleury provided solid bottom pairing play for the Lightning the past couple years and can play either side. Jets got him on a 2-way league minimum deal. Same goes for Dylan Coghlan.

PO Joseph signed with the Blues to play with his brother and has experience playing both sides. Probably could have welcomed him to Ottawa had we not foolishly dumped Mathieu.

It's ridiculous that the only D in Belleville who is arguably NHL call-up material is Guenette. Roos is terrible and Davies is clearly an AHLer. No one else worth mentioning in Belleville as someone worth looking at giving NHL ice time.

That kind of depth is absolutely unnacceptable for a team that is trying to make the playoffs with an injury prone D. Don't know how it can be argued otherwise.

 

[armani]

Dorion can be blamed for a lot, but not this.

There were plenty of solid depth options available this summer to provide insurance on the right and left side.

Devils added Kovacevic from the Habs for a 4th round pick in 2026. We could have easily beat that and he'd easily be our 3rd best RD for only 766k. Has 4 points in 6 games for them and is responsible defensively.

Haydn Fleury provided solid bottom pairing play for the Lightning the past couple years and can play either side. Jets got him on a 2-way league minimum deal. Same goes for Dylan Coghlan.

PO Joseph signed with the Blues to play with his brother and has experience playing both sides. Probably could have welcomed him to Ottawa had we not foolishly dumped Mathieu.

It's ridiculous that the only D in Belleville who is arguably NHL call-up material is Guenette. Roos is terrible and Davies is clearly an AHLer. No one else worth mentioning in Belleville as someone worth looking at giving NHL ice time.

That kind of depth is absolutely unnacceptable for a team that is trying to make the playoffs with an injury prone D. Don't know how it can be argued otherwise.

Disagreed, Dorion should absolutely be blamed for giving out 1-way contracts to non-NHL defencemen that NO other team has shown willingness to take. Buy-out was possible, but none of the players you mentioned are worth such buyout. You still need to fill the roster with cap minus the buyout hit, not a pleasant sight. Like I said, the 3rd pairing situation sucks, but Staios did address other more pressing and prioritized needs (starter, top-4 D, veteran forwards).

I am not sure why Staios was quick to give Sogaard a 1-way next year though. That's a move horribly aging already.

Zub please come back healthy and strong and soon!