It looks like Artem Zub will return to the Ottawa Senators' lineup Wednesday night in Toronto.

The Ottawa Senators haven't fared particularly very well in Artem Zub's absence, on or off the ice. 

While Zub has been away, his GM was replaced, his teammate got a 41 game suspension, he club lost a a first round draft pick and his captain blasted the local fans for booing and negativity. And, oh yeah, his team has lost five of its last six games and now stands dead last in the NHL's Eastern Conference. 

Zub's absence obviously isn't the sole reason for the on-ice swoon, but it's certainly one of the contributing factors. 

The Russian defenceman was hurt in a game on October 18th against the Washington Capitals after taking a shot squarely off the side of the head near his ear. At that point, the Senators were in the middle of winning their third game in a row, 6-1 over the Washington Capitals.

At practice on Monday, Zub was wearing a regular jersey, suggesting he's ready to return to action. D.J. Smith reunited him at practice with Jake Sanderson.

"He and Sandy looked real good out there," Smith said. "Obviously, we'll wait to see after if everything's good. But he looked really good to me out there, and it seems like he's good to go (Wednesday night in Toronto against the Leafs).

Before the injury, Zub was off to a quick start with three points in four games – well beyond his usual scoring pace. 

The Senators are still without defencemen Thomas Chabot (hand and wrist) and Erik Brannstrom (concussion). Chabot is expected to be out for at least another month, while Brannstrom is back skating with the club, wearing the non-contact jersey. He hasn't been ruled out for games this week.