Move over Austin Powers, the Ottawa Senators have their own International Man of Mystery. Who really is Artem Zub?
We’ve heard from the 25-year old Russian only once since he signed with the club, May 1, and that was one week prior to the Senators’ season opener. Zub appeared on a media Zoom call with fellow Russian Evgenii Dadonov acting as his interpreter.
-
Ep 34: NHL Coaching Retreads; Stanley Cup Final Talkby Full Press Coverage on June 22, 2022 at 3:30 pm
Mike, Jim, and Chris discuss the never-ending NHL coaching retreads and […]
On the call, the defenseman told fullpresshockey.com the most noticeable difference between playing in the KHL and Senators’ training camp was adjusting to the speed of the North American game.
What we do know is Zub was heavily pursued by several NHL clubs after coming off a breakthrough campaign with SKA St. Petersburg. Not known for his offense, the right-shot d-man scored 13 goals, adding nine assists in 57 games. Prior to last season, two goals, nine points were his KHL career highs over the previous four full seasons.
Zub also led all KHL players with a plus-35 rating.
The six-foot-two, 198-pound rearguard has been a winner wherever he’s played. Zub won a KHL Gagarin Cup championship in 2017. Earned 2018 Olympic Gold and two bronze medals with Russia at the World Championships.
Upon his signing, Senators General Manager Pierre Dorion said in a team release, “We’re pleased that Artem has elected to pursue an NHL career in Ottawa. Artem is a smart defensive defenseman 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 his sound ability to defend.”
Zub inked his deal with the Senators as he and his agent Dan Milstein thought it was the best opportunity to receive regular playing time.
it didn’t turn out this way at first. Dorion added Josh Brown and Erik Gudbranson through trade to the right side of the Senators’ blue line.
Zub opened the season on the taxi squad. A European Assignment Clause in his contract kept him from being outrighted to Belleville.
With Senators struggling, head coach D.J. Smith turned to the Khabarovsk, Russia resident last Sunday, adding Zub to the lineup. Zub chipped in offensively, earning an assist in his first NHL game, then followed up another helper in his second.
🇷🇺🍎 Artem Zub picked up his first NHL point in his first NHL period #GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/7mSoRIMihS
— Sens Prospects (@SensProspects) February 1, 2021
Zub is averaging 14:43 time-on-ice over his four games played, with a high of 17:55 in the Senators’ 3-2 win over the Canadiens Thursday. His 53.9 even-strength Corsi is tops among the team’s defenseman. Though it’s a small sample size, the addition of Zub to the club’s lineup is readily apparent.
One NHL executive noted during the off-season, Zub “plays a simple puck game in using his outlets and transition…The Senators get a free player.”
Inked to a one-year deal that pays him a $925,000 salary with the potential to earn a maximum $850,000 Type A performance bonus, all pro-rated in a 56-game season, Zub could be in for a “bigger payday” in the 2021-22 campaign said the executive.
The blue-liner will be a restricted free agent at this season’s conclusion.
There’s no doubt Zub will remain in the Senators’ lineup for the foreseeable future.
“He skates a lot better than anyone thought, maybe coming over. It’s tough when you watch on tape for us anyways, as a coaching staff,” noted Senators’ coach D.J. Smith.
“Being that he played in the KHL last year, and all I got to see was tape. And then all you get to see is practice against each other. There’s such thing as gamers, and some guys are good practice players. Then the game comes and they’re just ok. And then there’s other guys – he’s not flashy – to me he’s a gamer. When the game is on, he’s so much more competitive, and he doesn’t give you an inch out there.”
-
Ep 34: NHL Coaching Retreads; Stanley Cup Final Talkby Full Press Coverage on June 22, 2022 at 3:30 pm
Mike, Jim, and Chris discuss the never-ending NHL coaching retreads and […]
-
Ep 33: Stanley Cup Final Previewby Full Press Coverage on June 15, 2022 at 1:11 am
Mike, Jim, and Chris preview the Stanley Cup Final between the Tampa Bay […]
-
Ep 32: Bruins Fire Bruce Cassidy; Avalanche To Stanley Cup; Bolts/Rangersby Full Press Coverage on June 8, 2022 at 4:09 pm
Mike, Jim, and Chris react to the Bruins firing of Bruce Cassidy, the […]
-
Ep 31: Conference Finals Previewby Full Press Coverage on June 1, 2022 at 2:38 pm
Mike and Jim are back to preview the Conference Finals in the NHL. Out […]
-
New Jersey Devils and Stanley Cup Final Talkby Full Press Coverage on June 23, 2022 at 6:26 pm
Jim is back once again joined by Bruce Zeman to discuss the New Jersey […]
-
Stanley Cup Final Preview - Colorado Avalanche vs Tampa Bay Lightningby Full Press Coverage on June 14, 2022 at 1:32 am
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by C.C. Hawkley of Full Press […]
-
Ep 73: Bruins Face Elimination; Bruce Cassidy On Hot Seat; Patrice Bergeron Final Standby Full Press Coverage on May 12, 2022 at 4:00 pm
Ian and Chris discuss game six between the Bruins and Hurricanes and the […]
-
Ep 72: Bruins Acquire Hampus Lindholm; More Moves To Come?by Full Press Coverage on March 20, 2022 at 3:34 pm
Ian and Chris discuss the trade of Hampus Lindholm to the Bruins and what […]
-
S3E33 - Stanley Cup Final - Avalanche vs Lightningby Jim Biringer on June 19, 2022 at 12:00 pm
Jim is joined by Marc Weiss and Coach Jay as they discuss the Stanley Cup […]
-
S3Ep32 - Eastern Conference Final and Colorado Avalanche Advanceby Jim Biringer on June 11, 2022 at 9:37 pm
Jim is joined by Coach Jay and Marc Weiss to discuss the Eastern […]
-
Episode #385 - The Stanley Cup Final - LIVE!by Full Press Coverage on June 21, 2022 at 2:05 am
With 2 games of the Stanley Cup Final in the bag, we record during the […]
-
Episode #384 - The 2022 Stanley Cup Final Previewby Full Press Coverage on June 14, 2022 at 2:05 am
The Stanley Cup Final is here! Let's find out if Carl is emotionally […]
-
Episode #383 - The 2022 NHL Conference Finals - Midwayby Full Press Coverage on June 7, 2022 at 1:46 am
The NHL Conference Finals are well underway! With the New York Rangers […]
-
Episode #106: If You Can't Beat Them, Become Themby Full Press Coverage on June 18, 2022 at 5:55 am
23 playoff teams are now down to just two. It's the 2022 Calder Cup Finals […]
-
Episode #105: Goalie Rotation Sensationby Full Press Coverage on June 10, 2022 at 6:06 am
On this episode of The Calder Farmstead, C.C. is left to host the show […]
-
Episode #106: If You Can't Beat Them, Become Themby Full Press Coverage on June 18, 2022 at 5:55 am
23 playoff teams are now down to just two. It's the 2022 Calder Cup Finals […]
-
Episode #105: Goalie Rotation Sensationby Full Press Coverage on June 10, 2022 at 6:06 am
On this episode of The Calder Farmstead, C.C. is left to host the show […]
-
Ep 60: #KrejciForever and Raised Expectationsby Full Press Coverage on May 4, 2021 at 9:23 pm
Ian and Chris talk about the Bruins post trade deadline turnaround and […]
-
Ep 59: Bruins Swing Big At Trade Deadlineby Full Press Coverage on April 12, 2021 at 9:48 pm
Ian and Chris welcome in Mike Cratty to discuss the trade acquisitions of […]
-
6/24 - WSOP; NBA Finals Talk; Stanley Cup Coming To An End; NBA Draftby Full Press Coverage on June 24, 2022 at 2:15 pm
Ian and John are back to discuss the World Series of Poker, the NBA Finals […]
-
6/15 - Celtics Falter In San Fran, Can They Force A Game 7?by Full Press Coverage on June 15, 2022 at 4:23 pm
Ian and John discuss the Celtics loss in Game 5 and what they have to do […]
-
6/13 - Goodfellas; Celtics/Warriors, Stanley Cup Finalby Full Press Coverage on June 13, 2022 at 4:46 pm
Ian and John discuss the Celtics loss in Game 4 and look ahead to Game 5 […]
-
Are The Celtics In The Heads Of The Warriors?by Full Press Coverage on June 10, 2022 at 5:50 pm
Ian and John discuss the Celtics Game Two win as well as if they are […]