Zach Werenski Looking For Three More Years In Columbus

Another day, another RFA.

Today, we’re talking about Columbus’ Zach Werenski. Reportedly, Werenski is looking for a three-year deal between $5-$6 million AAV, with the Blue Jackets.

Werenski is a key defenseman for the Blue Jackets, even more so after the team lost all of the top talent they formed for their big post-season run that ended poorly.

Werenski played all 82 regular season games this year plus 10 in the post season. He put up 44 regular season points (11 G 33 A) and 6 post-season points (1 G 5 A) while averaging 22:54 on the ice in the regular season and bumping his numbers to 26:37 in the playoffs.

At 6’2″, 209 lbs, Werenski can take hits and lay them out. He had 108 blocked shot, 87 hits, and 45 takeaways in all of last season. He’s a benefit to have on both sides of the ice and the Blue Jackets are going to need him around this upcoming season.

Werenski and his agent, Pat Brisson, have been working with Blue Jackets GM, Jarmo Kekalainen to make a deal happen before training camp starts up come September 13th. Kekalainen told the Ohio Dispatch that he is “not the least bit worried”.

It’s smart that Columbus doesn’t let a talented player like Werenski slip through their fingers like Panarin, Duchene, and Dzingel have this past off-season. Columbus is going to have to make big adjustments for next season but they’ve got a solid base put together already, the question is: Will it be enough?