2 Artem Zub D

Zub was recalled to the active roster Monday.

Considering Zub has played in the Sens' last 18 contests, in which he garnered two goals on 15 shots, three assists and 32 hits while averaging 17:12 of ice time, his demotion to the taxi squad was always going to be temporary. It likely won't be the last time the Russian is shifted between levels this year.

Zub was reassigned to the taxi squad Thursday.

Considering Zub has appeared in 18 consecutive contests for the Senators, his demotion should be considered nothing more than a paper transaction. The 25-year-old defenseman will no doubt be recalled prior to Monday's matchup with Calgary.

Zub hasn't recorded a point in his last four games.

On the other side of the coin, Zub has scored in three straight games against Montreal, so he might be a cheap play in daily leagues the next time the Senators play the Canadiens.

Zub (COVID-19 protocol) will play in Saturday's game versus the Jets.

Zub has tested negative twice, so he's eligible to return to action. The 25-year-old defenseman has geared up for six games this season, registering two points and nine hits.

Zub (not injury related) has tested negative for COVID-19 on Thursday, Ian Mendes of TSN 1200 Ottawa reports.

Zub's negative test came after a prior test returned inconclusive results. Barring any future testing discrepancies, Zub should be able to suit up for Saturday's rematch with the Jets.

Zub won't play in Thursday's game against Winnipeg after an inconclusive COVID-19 test.

Althought Zub tested negative for the virus Wednesday, the team will hold out the defenseman. The 25-year-old has racked up two assists while averaging 15:55 of ice time through six games to this point. With Zub sidelined, Josh Brown will enter the lineup in his place.

Zub notched an assist, two hits and two PIM in Tuesday's 4-2 loss to the Oilers.

Zub stayed in the lineup even with Thomas Chabot returning from a lower-body injury -- Josh Brown was the healthy scratch on the blue line Tuesday. While Zub has been limited to third-pairing duties, he's earned an assist in each of his two appearances this season. He'll have to sustain a solid level of play to stay in the lineup regularly.

Zub produced an assist in Sunday's 8-5 loss to the Oilers.

Zub skated only 13:32 in a third-pairing role during his NHL debut, but he was able to check off the first point milestone quickly. The Russian blueliner had the secondary assist on Brady Tkachuk's first-period tally. Zub is no lock to stay in the lineup once Thomas Chabot (lower body) returns to action. Zub would likely need to outplay Josh Brown or Braydon Coburn to see regular playing time in 2020-21.

Zub was activated from the taxi squad Sunday.

Thomas Chabot (lower body) missed Saturday's practice, and Zub bumped into the third pairing as a result. If Chabot's unable to play in Sunday's road game against the Oilers, Zub is expected to make his NHL debut. The 25-year-old played 57 games in the KHL last season and posted 13 goals and nine helpers.

Zub is set to make his 2020-21 debut during the Senators' Western Canada swing, per coach D.J. Smith, Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reports.

Fantasy owners should watch carefully to see how much ice time Zub gets, as he could be a cheap play for daily lineups once he actually cracks the lineup. Ottawa will spend the next six games in Manitoba, British Columbia and Alberta, so if Zub's going to be traveling, it stands to reason that the Senators expect him to contribute in at least some of those contests.