Following speculation that Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski might be open to a move, it didn’t take long for a trade to be reached with a deal with Dallas done in principle. However, Werenski vetoed that on the eve of free agency with reports then surfacing that he’d simply block all other potential swaps. Both sides then issued statements affirming his commitment to Columbus and the team confirming he’ll be with them to start next season.
But that hasn’t stopped the speculation about his future. With just two years left on his deal and a consistent history of top players eventually moving on from the Blue Jackets, many felt the statements were just damage control.
Today, Werenski tried to dispel that notion. Speaking with reporters including NHL.com’s Craig Merz, the veteran called the recent speculation “misconstrued” while opening the door towards extending his stay with the only NHL franchise he has been a part of:
I think everyone knows how much I love this city and how much it means to me and I would have no issues being here for an even longer time. I want to see us in the playoffs, and I want to see us make progress and I feel like we’ve done that. I think winning solves everything and that’s where we have to get to as a club. We have to raise our standards and expectations and that starts with myself.
I fully plan on doing that this year, being even a better player, better leader, and a better person for my teammates and for this club and hopefully that just means I’m here even longer.
Werenski was a first-round pick by the Blue Jackets back in 2015, going eighth overall. Since then, he has blossomed into one of the NHL’s top blueliners. Last season, he surpassed the 80-point mark for the second straight year while taking home the Norris Trophy as the league’s top defenseman.
Since the 29-year-old has two years left on his current contract, he’s not eligible to sign a contract extension until July 1st, 2027. Whenever the time comes to sign his next deal, Werenski is certainly in line for a significant raise, even though he’s already one of the top-paid blueliners in the league. He currently holds a cap hit of just over $9.583MM and figures to earn several million more per season on top of that.
Werenski mentioned how big of a priority winning is for him and that will certainly be worth noting. The Blue Jackets narrowly missed out on a playoff spot last season and have lost a couple of core players in Boone Jenner and Mason Marchment, though they added Valeri Nichushkin from Colorado. If Columbus can get back to the postseason this year, it seems like the odds of a potential extension next summer might go up. Otherwise, Werenski may very well find himself back in trade speculation once again.