COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus Blue Jackets and Zach Werenski are both looking to strike a deal so the All-Star defenseman can stay in Columbus.
Initially, Werenski told General Manager Don Waddell that he did not know what the future held regarding his future beyond his current contract, according to a statement from Waddell.
Waddell said they later discussed more with the defenseman, and he said that he wanted to stay with the Blue Jackets, citing how much he has invested in the organization.
“The past two seasons have been very challenging ones, but also ones of growth for our team. Our goals from ownership on down and Zach’s goals are the same: to win now, return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs and win a Stanley Cup. Our city and fans deserve nothing less, and we are all on the same page working towards that end. Zach has been a very important part of this organization and our community for a long time, and we couldn’t be happier that he will continue to be moving forward,” Waddell said in a statement.
Werenski said he hoped this would not become a public issue, but in the end said both he and Waddell are aligned.
“Don and I have had very open and honest dialogue since the season ended. Ideally, this wouldn’t have become such a public thing, but that is the world we live in now, and everything got blown out of proportion in my opinion. I want to win, and I want to do that in Columbus. As I’ve thought about things and discussed everything with my wife and family, we want to be in Columbus. It has been my home for the past 10 years, and I have always been proud to be a Blue Jacket. We have the best fans in the NHL. I love my teammates and coaches, and I’m looking forward to doing everything I can to get us back in the playoffs to compete for a Stanley Cup. Don and I are completely aligned on that and are excited about what’s to come with our team,” said Werenski in a statement.