Senators reportedly working on contract extension for Russian defenceman

"Well, that would be if things go exceedingly well, but I think what's notable in this case is that the sides are talking. When the season started Artyom Zub and the Senators' management hadn't had any discussions about an extension. That has started to change here recently with talks picking up this month." Johnston said.

He added, "There was a meeting last week face-to-face in Detroit with Sens' management and his [Zub's] agent Dan Milstein to exchange some thoughts. And I do think that there's some optimism here, but no deal is done until it's done in any case. And of course, it's a little bit more complicated because that team's in the middle of a sale process."