Roster Battles: How Will The Senators Replace Zub To Start The Season?

Ottawa Senators defenseman Artem Zub is recovering from an injury suffered against Carolina and is not expected to be ready for the start of the season, according to head coach Travis Green. Zub's absence, combined with Nick Jensen leaving in free agency, creates an opportunity on the right side of Ottawa's blue line for 20-year-old defenseman Carter Yakemchuk.

Yakemchuk has been competing with Nikolas Matinpalo for a regular spot on the blue line during training camp. In a recent split-squad preseason game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Yakemchuk logged 25:29 of ice time in a 6-1 defeat while several regular defensemen were unavailable.