Ottawa Senators

Could the Senators’ Top-Pairing Defenseman Be on the Move?

Artem Zub is catching NHL trade chatter. Could Ottawa’s top-four defenseman be on the move if the Senators hit a rough patch?

by
Old Prof
January 26, 2026

If you’ve been keeping an eye on the trade chatter, the Ottawa Senators are starting to pop up in conversations, and one name keeps coming up: right-shot defenseman Artem Zub. Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen flagged him as a real “watch this guy” type.

Zub Could Move Because He Has No Trade Protection

Why? Zub has one year left on his deal at $4.6 million, and he doesn’t have any trade protection. That makes him an easy name for teams to kick around if Ottawa decides it wants to shake up its blue line. He’s on the first pairing with Jake Sanderson and has been a solid top-four NHL defender for a while now.

It adds up. Ottawa’s checking in midseason, trying to figure out how to get stronger while still in reach of the playoffs. With a 24-21-7 record and seven points back of Boston for that second wild card, hope’s alive—but other teams are already knocking.

He’s spent six seasons in Ottawa, racking up 23 goals, 101 points, and a +25 rating while averaging 20:21 a night. That’s the kind of consistent, experienced defender playoff teams are always after.

Zub’s Six-Year Career Has Made Him a Valuable Blueliner

Over his six-year career—all with Ottawa—he’s racked up 23 goals, 101 points, and a +25 plus/minus, averaging 20:21 a night. That’s the kind of steady, experienced defender that teams want if they’re looking to add depth for a playoff run.

Right now, Ottawa still wants to push and stay in the race. Their 7-1 win over Vegas recently showed what happens when goaltending and scoring depth click—suddenly, holding the roster is easier. But the league still calls when a defender like Zub is available: someone with term, proven NHL experience, and a manageable cap hit.

If the Senators Hit the Skids, Zub Could Be on the Move

No guarantees he moves, and Garrioch was careful with his wording. But if Ottawa hits a rough patch, or a contender loses a right-shot defender to injury, Zub is exactly the kind of name that will flare up in the rumour mill. Smoke here could very well mean fire there.