General manager of the Senators could turn to PTO market as their top defenseman battles injury

Steve Staios confirmed Artem Zub is still working his way back from the injury that ended his playoffs early, and the Senators GM says there is a real chance the club leans on a tryout or two if the defenseman is not ready when camp opens.

Zub went down in Game 1 of Ottawa's first round series against Carolina and never returned, watching from the sidelines as the Senators were swept out of the postseason.

Staios told Postmedia he expects Zub to be good to go for camp, though he stopped short of guaranteeing it, adding a couple of other players around the roster are dealing with similar uncertainty this month.

If Zub needs more time, Ottawa has options.

Names like John Klingberg and Logan Stanley have been floated as possible tryout candidates who could fill in on the right side while Zub finishes his rehab, with prospects like Hoyt Stanley also in the mix.

Zub was a workhorse a year ago, playing 81 games and posting a career high in points while anchoring a top pairing alongside Jake Sanderson.

Losing him for any stretch would sting for a blue line that already dealt with injuries to Sanderson and Thomas Chabot last season.

There is a business angle here too.

Zub is eligible to sign an extension before the September 15 deadline for maximum eight year deals, and he enters the final season of his current contract.

Staios has plenty to sort out this month between the health situation and the looming Drake Batherson talks.

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