Zach Werenski didn’t play a lot of minutes while helping the United States win a gold medal in the Milano Cortina 2026 men’s hockey tournament.
More: Blue Jackets’ Zach Werenski addresses Trump’s women’s hockey comment
Advertisement
Despite finishing with six points on a goal and five assists, including the primary assist on Jack Hughes’ golden goal to defeat Canada 2-1 in overtime Feb. 22, Werenski played on the third defensive pairing for U.S. head coach Mike Sullivan.
Feb 26, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins center Sean Kuraly (52) scores a goal against Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (8) during the third period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
That won’t be the case for the Blue Jackets, who began their final stretch of 26 games in 47 days coming off the Olympic break with Werenski getting a whopping 28:34 in a 4-2 loss to the Boston Bruins on Feb. 26 at TD Garden in Boston.
“He usually is playing 26, 27, 28 minutes,” Blue Jackets coach Rick Bowness said Feb. 18. “In my mind, that’s too much, and I’d like to keep him around the 23-24 minute range, which he’s very fine with.”
Advertisement
That was the plan, anyway. Despite his team dominating the first and third periods, Bowness faced one of his own extenuating circumstances for Werenski’s usage.
Trailing with only 10 minutes left in a key game for both teams, Werenski logged his fourth-highest ice time of the season in a game that didn’t go to overtime. He led all skaters with seven shots and 15 attempts, assisted Adam Fantilli’s late goal and extended his personal points streak to eight straight games.
1 / 16
See Zach Werenski, other men’s hockey stars at Trump’s State of the Union
The U.S. men’s Olympic ice hockey team with Matthew Tkachuk and Connor Hellebuyck in front applaud during President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber at the Capitol on February 24, 2026 in Washington, DC. Trump delivered his address days after the Supreme Court struck down the administration’s tariff strategy, and amid a U.S. military buildup in the Persian Gulf threatening Iran.
1 / 16
See Zach Werenski, other men’s hockey stars at Trump’s State of the Union
The U.S. men’s Olympic ice hockey team with Matthew Tkachuk and Connor Hellebuyck in front applaud during President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber at the Capitol on February 24, 2026 in Washington, DC. Trump delivered his address days after the Supreme Court struck down the administration’s tariff strategy, and amid a U.S. military buildup in the Persian Gulf threatening Iran.
2 / 16
See Zach Werenski, other men’s hockey stars at Trump’s State of the Union
The U.S. men’s Olympic ice hockey team with Jack Hughes and Quinn Hughes at the front arrive for President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber at the Capitol on February 24, 2026 in Washington, DC. Behind him are Vice President JD Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA). Trump delivered his address days after the Supreme Court struck down the administration’s tariff strategy, and amid a U.S. military buildup in the Persian Gulf threatening Iran.
3 / 16
See Zach Werenski, other men’s hockey stars at Trump’s State of the Union
Members of the Team USA Men’s Hockey Team wave to the audience as U.S. President Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address during a Joint Session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol on February 24, 2026, in Washington, DC. Trump delivered his address days after the Supreme Court struck down the administration’s tariff strategy and amid a U.S. military buildup in the Persian Gulf threatening Iran.
4 / 16
See Zach Werenski, other men’s hockey stars at Trump’s State of the Union
The U.S. men’s Olympic ice hockey team with Connor Hellebuyck in front attend President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber at the Capitol on February 24, 2026 in Washington, DC. Trump delivered his address days after the Supreme Court struck down the administration’s tariff strategy, and amid a U.S. military buildup in the Persian Gulf threatening Iran.
5 / 16
See Zach Werenski, other men’s hockey stars at Trump’s State of the Union
The U.S. men’s Olympic ice hockey team with Matthew Tkachuk and Connor Hellebuyck in front attend President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber at the Capitol on February 24, 2026 in Washington, DC. Behind him are Vice President JD Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA). Trump delivered his address days after the Supreme Court struck down the administration’s tariff strategy, and amid a U.S. military buildup in the Persian Gulf threatening Iran.
6 / 16
See Zach Werenski, other men’s hockey stars at Trump’s State of the Union
Connor Hellebuyck, member of the U.S. Olympic men’s hockey team, holds up his gold medal.
7 / 16
See Zach Werenski, other men’s hockey stars at Trump’s State of the Union
Members of the Team USA men’s hockey team wave to the audience as Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address.
8 / 16
See Zach Werenski, other men’s hockey stars at Trump’s State of the Union
Members of the U.S. men’s hockey team wave to the audience as U.S. President Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address.
9 / 16
See Zach Werenski, other men’s hockey stars at Trump’s State of the Union
Members of the U.S. Olympic men’s hockey team applaud as their teammate Connor Hellebuyck puts his hand to his heart.
10 / 16
See Zach Werenski, other men’s hockey stars at Trump’s State of the Union
Members of the U.S. Olympic men’s hockey team that won the gold medal, Jack Hughes and Quinn Hughes, pose with their medals.
11 / 16
See Zach Werenski, other men’s hockey stars at Trump’s State of the Union
Members of the U.S. Olympic men’s hockey team that won the gold medal cheer during the State of the Union address.
12 / 16
See Zach Werenski, other men’s hockey stars at Trump’s State of the Union
Members of the Team USA men’s hockey team walk through the media room before Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address.
13 / 16
See Zach Werenski, other men’s hockey stars at Trump’s State of the Union
Members of the Team USA men’s hockey team walk through the media room before Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address.
14 / 16
See Zach Werenski, other men’s hockey stars at Trump’s State of the Union
Charlie McAvoy arrives for Donald Trump’s State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
15 / 16
See Zach Werenski, other men’s hockey stars at Trump’s State of the Union
Members of the U.S. Olympic gold medal men’s hockey team wait backstage ahead of the State of the Union address.
16 / 16
See Zach Werenski, other men’s hockey stars at Trump’s State of the Union
Members of the U.S. Olympic gold medal men’s hockey team go through security ahead of an appearance at the State of the Union address.
Werenski also finished with a -1 plus/minus rating but comfortably stepped right back into his role as the Blue Jackets’ best player after spending the previous three days celebrating the first U.S. gold medal in men’s hockey in 46 years.
Bowness’ goal will still try to limit Werenski’s shifts in the final 25 games, aiming to keep him healthy and his legs energized, but the Blue Jackets drained the tank in Boston.
Advertisement
Werenski hadn’t played since helping the U.S. clinch gold Feb. 22 in Milan, his Olympic ice time was about 10 minutes fewer per game than his NHL average (26:24) and there’s a day between games to recover before another key matchup Feb. 28 against the New York Islanders.
1 / 10
Blue Jackets’ Werenski parties in Miami after US gold medal victory
MIAMI, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 23: Zach Werenski attends a celebration of the USA Men’s Hockey Team’s Olympic Gold at E11EVEN Miami on February 23, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for E11EVEN Miami)
1 / 10
Blue Jackets’ Werenski parties in Miami after US gold medal victory
MIAMI, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 23: Zach Werenski attends a celebration of the USA Men’s Hockey Team’s Olympic Gold at E11EVEN Miami on February 23, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for E11EVEN Miami)
2 / 10
Blue Jackets’ Werenski parties in Miami after US gold medal victory
MIAMI, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 23: Zach Werenski attends a celebration of the USA Men’s Hockey Team’s Olympic Gold at E11EVEN Miami on February 23, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for E11EVEN Miami)
3 / 10
Blue Jackets’ Werenski parties in Miami after US gold medal victory
MIAMI, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 23: Zach Werenski and Brady Tkachuk attend a celebration of the USA Men’s Hockey Team’s Olympic Gold at E11EVEN Miami on February 23, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for E11EVEN Miami)
4 / 10
Blue Jackets’ Werenski parties in Miami after US gold medal victory
MIAMI, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 23: Zach Werenski attends a celebration of the USA Men’s Hockey Team’s Olympic Gold at E11EVEN Miami on February 23, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for E11EVEN Miami)
5 / 10
Blue Jackets’ Werenski parties in Miami after US gold medal victory
MIAMI, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 23: Matthew Tkachuk and Zach Werenski attend a celebration of the USA Men’s Hockey Team’s Olympic Gold at E11EVEN Miami on February 23, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for E11EVEN Miami)
6 / 10
Blue Jackets’ Werenski parties in Miami after US gold medal victory
MIAMI, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 23: Team USA Men’s Hockey attends a celebration of the USA Men’s Hockey Team’s Olympic Gold at E11EVEN Miami on February 23, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for E11EVEN Miami)
7 / 10
Blue Jackets’ Werenski parties in Miami after US gold medal victory
MIAMI, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 23: Team USA MEn’s Hockey attends a celebration of the USA Men’s Hockey Team’s Olympic Gold at E11EVEN Miami on February 23, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for E11EVEN Miami)
8 / 10
Blue Jackets’ Werenski parties in Miami after US gold medal victory
MIAMI, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 23: Matthew Tkachuk and Team USA Men’s Hockey attends a celebration of the USA Men’s Hockey Team’s Olympic Gold at E11EVEN Miami on February 23, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for E11EVEN Miami)
9 / 10
Blue Jackets’ Werenski parties in Miami after US gold medal victory
MIAMI, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 23: Zach Werenski attends a celebration of the USA Men’s Hockey Team’s Olympic Gold at E11EVEN Miami on February 23, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for E11EVEN Miami)
10 / 10
Blue Jackets’ Werenski parties in Miami after US gold medal victory
MIAMI, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 23: Matthew Tkachuk and Zach Werenski attend a celebration of the USA Men’s Hockey Team’s Olympic Gold at E11EVEN Miami on February 23, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for E11EVEN Miami)
“There’s going to be games where we need a goal in the last 10 minutes, and he’s going to see those minutes,” Bowness said. “But we want to avoid that as much as possible and keep his minutes down. When you’re talking about guys playing too much, that’s when they get hurt.”
That’s a possibility the Blue Jackets can’t afford.
“You need to play your four (forward) lines, and you need to play your six defensemen,” Bowness said. “There comes a time where, OK, you’ve got to shorten the bench, but you want to avoid that as much as possible because of the amount of games (left). We’ll try to roll the four lines as much as we can and the six defensemen as much as we can.”
Feb 26, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Boone Jenner (38) shoots the puck against the Boston Bruins during the second period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Losing in regulation to the Bruins pushed the Blue Jackets back to six points behind Boston for the second of two playoff wild cards in the Eastern Conference. They also lost ground to the Islanders, who defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-3 in overtime to move six points ahead of Columbus for third place in the Metropolitan Division.
Advertisement
The Washington Capitals are now two points ahead of the Blue Jackets as the East’s top team outside the playoff bubble, while the Ottawa Senators, Florida Panthers, Philadelphia Flyers and Toronto Maple Leafs are all within a point or two of pulling even with Columbus.
The second wild card and third place in the Metro are the closest postseason spots for the Blue Jackets (29-21-7) to obtain after going 11-1-0 and winning seven straight games prior to the break.
Blue Jackets reporter Brian Hedger can be reached at bhedger@dispatch.com and @BrianHedger.bsky.social
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Zach Werenski gives Columbus Blue Jackets ice time conundrum