[citation needed] This was expected and would provide the best chance at making the NHL team in the subsequent season given Ottawa GM Bryan Murray's insistence that he learn "North American hockey.

Zubov committed to refining his physical game to accommodate the more aggressive NHL style and played the entire season in the AHL.

Ilya had a great showing at the Senators Mini Development Camp in the summer of 2008, and hoped to crack the line-up in the 2008–09 season.

Zubov played the majority of the season with Binghamton once again but was called up for ten games to Ottawa and scored two assists for his first NHL points.

[7] On July 1, 2014, Zubov became an NHL free agent with his right's expired with the Senators, he opted to continue his career in the KHL.