NHL Rumours: The Senators Looking to Secure Key Commodity on Blueline

Feb 6, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Brayden Point (21), Ottawa Senators defenseman Artem Zub (2) and Tampa Bay Lightning center Gage Goncalves (93) fight to control the puck during the third period at Amalie Arena. Mandator… | Source: Lastwordonsports.com - Dan Mount, EditorWe started the discussion last time on NHL Rumours looking at the Ottawa Senators, but today we will dive a little deeper into one issue impacting the defencemen. It is on one of the pending free agents on the blueline, and you’re about to get sensational.Mar 23, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Ottawa Senators defencemen Artem Zub (2) and Thomas Chabot (72) at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn ImagesNHL Rumours and One Upcoming UFA On the BackendRumour: The rumour today is on the pending unrestricted free agent, and top Sen defensive defenceman, Artem Zub. The thinking is he will ultimately re-sign in Ottawa, but that’s what we are here to provide the details on.Analysis: Zub is a very reliable figure on the Sens blueline. He would be a very sought after commodity should he hit the open market.CAPITAL LOSS https://t.co/NAQ2kCXyAK— Coming In Hot (@ComingInHotSens) November 12, 2026The boys on Coming In Hot, including Jason York, Brent Wallace, and Graeme Nichols were discussing the possibility of an Artem Zub contract renewal. It has been a contentious issue in Ottawa, as the consensus is that Zub takes the place of the future of the right-side of the Sens blueline, and Carter Yakemchuk. However, as Nichols in particular focuses in on, the defensive reliability of Zub versus the more inexperienced Yakemchuk, really does make it an interesting topic of discussion.Figuring Out How Zub Fits in Ottawa Going ForwardCan you really afford to pay Zub? As Wallace speculated that figure could be as high as $7-8 million dollars if he were to re-sign with the Sens, and that number would go up even higher, up to $9 million per season on the open market. Given the new economic pay structure throughout the NHL, and the fact that Zub does handle top-line matchups, you really have to weigh the pros and cons of his worth. Just what is the true value that he offers the Ottawa Senators.The other point is someone like Nikolas Matinpalo, who provides excellent value. The Sens lineup is strong with him in it. Furthermore, he has shown an ability to play against top competition. That’s not to mention he is a great third-pair guy. He is also an unrestricted free agent at season’s end.Putting Together the Other PiecesTo round out the Sens right-side of their blueline, they have Jordan Spence. Along with Yakemchuk, Spence is the future of Ottawa’s right side of their defence, regardless of the ultimate decision on Zub and Matinpalo. Spence is set to earn an average annual value of $5 million until the summer of 2030.That then begs the question, that if the Sens decide against re-signing Zub, based on cheaper alternatives, would that money be better spent elsewhere? Perhaps a big name power forward, someone that can score on the wing, a top-six forward from earlier in Senator rumours. They don’t come available very often, but examples via trade perhaps, would be Brock Boeser and Blake Coleman. Other names of free agents set to hit the market this summer include Artturi Lehkonen, Josh Anderson, Morgan Frost, or even the Senators own, Michael Amadio.But we are taking the angle, that Matinpalo probably wants a raise. The Sens are already committed to Spence and Yakemchuk. So we think that they the keep around the dependable Zub. If that is the case, what about some comparable salaries?Oct 21, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Carolina Hurricanes right wing Stefan Noesen (23) and Colorado Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews (7) get tangled up during the third period at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: John Leyba-USA TODAY SportsThe Final CompsAs the guys on Coming In Hot mentioned, comparable salaries include guys like Esa Lindell, Chris Tanev, and maybe even Devon Toews or Zach Whitecloud.Name26-27 SalaryCareer AVG TOIAX/QOChris Tanev$4.5 M19:550.70Esa Lindell$5.25 M22:110.43Zach Whitecloud$2.75 M18:130.36Devon Toews$7.25 M23:090.52Artem Zub$4.6 M20:280.37The final metric, which was based on Moneypuck’s on-ice expected goals for and against, and actual goals for and against, as well as off-ice expected goals for and against, is one we thought Zub would rank very highly in, but didn’t. It was a ratio of above expected (AX) goal differential, with consideration for the quality of opponent (QO). It is based on rank, and near one would be the best possible score. Just for a basis, the top three names in the stat were Evan Bouchard, Roman Josi, and Jamie Drysdale, with Lane Hutson sixth. If we had of just considered the top (numerator) AX metric, Zub led the Sens, and would’ve scored around 0.85. Regardless, based on the other names, it was a very good measuring stick.The Last WordSo it just comes down to true value, really. Yes, these guys would be comparable players, but as we mentioned, the way the salaries have shot up, and the fact Zub is a top line defender, he could be seeking the type of money Brent Wallace suggested. In any case, the Sens do have some work to do before the summer. But for now, they need these pieces on the backend and the value they offer.“I think you have to at this point!”Graeme thinks the Sens NEED to re-sign Artem Zub! With Carter Yakemchuk still developing, can Ottawa really afford to let Zub walk?@localpodcaster@jasonyork33@GraemeNicholsPresented by Coca Cola#GoSensGo#NHLpic.twitter.com/R0p7ZHRQk2— Coming In Hot (@ComingInHotSens) November 12, 2026Main Photo Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images