Ottawa Senators defenseman Artem Zub. Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

There’s some good news and bad news on the injury front for Ottawa.  On the positive side, TSN’s Claire Hanna relays that defenseman Artem Zub is expected to be ready to return after the All-Star break.  

It has been a tough year on the ice for the 27-year-old who has been limited to just 21 games this season while missing time with three separate injuries, the current one being an upper-body issue.  

It hasn’t been all bad, however, as he inked a four-year, $18.4M extension with the Senators last month.

Meanwhile, Postmedia’s Bruce Garrioch relays that goaltender Cam Talbot might not be ready to return after the break. He suffered a lower-body injury last Wednesday and it’s the second time this season that injuries have held him out of the lineup.  

If the Senators are going to climb back into the playoff race, they’ll need him healthy while if they’re going to try to move him by the March 3 trade deadline, he’ll need to get back and show potential suitors that he’s ready to go.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Longtime NFL executive Bill Tobin dies
Avalanche goaltender confirms retirement after short, injury-marred career
Analyst insists that the Raiders like this divisive quarterback prospect
NHL approves sale, relocation of Arizona Coyotes
Eastern and Western Conference play-in teams' odds to advance take hit with brutal injuries
NFL decides fate of five players suspended for gambling
Injured Rangers ace ahead of schedule in rehab efforts
Penguins' Sidney Crosby addresses retirement, contract chatter
Warriors 'want' Klay Thompson back with team next season
Bill Belichick says he’s only coached one rookie who was NFL-ready from Day 1
Giants GM addresses Daniel Jones 'buyer’s remorse' report
76ers big man gives Knicks bulletin-board material ahead of first-round matchup
Yankees star joins elite company after latest feat
Watch: Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon puts exclamation point on historic season
Aroldis Chapman suspended by MLB over brief exchange with umpire
Packers make important roster move just days before 2024 NFL Draft
Steelers' Russell Wilson blasted by Super Bowl champion: 'You were along for the ride' for championship
Former GM eviscerates Falcons brass for passing on Bill Belichick
Yankees' Juan Soto reportedly eyeing 'bidding war' between two teams
Mike Trout makes his thoughts on a trade from Angels abundantly clear