Norris Trophy winner Zach Werenski ties his future with Blue Jackets to playoff push after trade veto

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Zach Werenski would like to remain with the Columbus Blue Jackets long term, even though there are two seasons left on his current contract.

The reigning Norris Trophy winner as the NHL’s best defenseman reiterated that the Blue Jackets must become a contender if he is to stay in central Ohio beyond the 2027-28 season.

“I want to see us in the playoffs and make progress. I feel like we’ve done that,” Werenski said. “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 and be an even better player and leader. Hopefully, that means I’m here even longer.”

It was Werenski’s first media availability since early July when news broke that he vetoed a trade to the Dallas Stars. He told GM Don Waddell at the end of last season he was not planning to sign an extension, at least this offseason.

Werenski has a full no-trade clause this season, and a 10-team no trade list starting next July 1.

However, Werenski clarified he didn’t shut the door on agreeing to an extension or demand a trade. The possibility of him leaving made him unpopular in Columbus and among fans for a few days.

“I was trying to figure out what was going on. But yeah, it got crazy for sure,” he said. “I don’t want to talk too much on all the specifics and conversations and all that, but I think from early on, I’ve been transparent. I’ve been honest. At the end of the day, I’ve been honest that this is where I want to be.

“I felt like it was misconstrued a little bit how I felt. The only thing I can go off of is mine and Don’s conversations. We’ve had great conversations since right when the season ended. But certain things started to swirl and snowballed, and it escalated to a spot neither me nor Don intended. At least that’s how I feel about it.”

Werenski — the eighth overall pick by the Blue Jackets in the 2015 draft — also wanted to get any speculation or questions about his future out of the way before training camp begins in September.

Werenski’s 81 points last season, which included 22 goals, were second in the league among defensemen. He tied the franchise record for assists (59) and joined Brian Leetch and Phil Housley as the only American-born defensemen in NHL history to have consecutive 80-point seasons.

The 29-year-old Grosse Pointe, Michigan, native also had the primary assist on Jack Hughes’ gold medal-winning goal for the United States at the Milan-Cortina Olympics.

The Blue Jackets haven’t reached the playoffs since 2020. They have come painfully short the past two years, including going 3-9-1 down the stretch this past season.

They were in last place in the Eastern Conference when Rick Bowness was hired as coach. They went 18-2-4 in Bowness’ first 24 games and moved into a playoff spot after earning a point in 12 straight games.

But when the regular season reached its final stretch, Columbus reverted to its early season form, including six consecutive home losses to tie a franchise record.

“I feel like on certain nights when it wasn’t going well, we didn’t have enough push. It was a learning experience for me, for sure,” said Werenski, who had two goals and six points in his final 13 games. “I’ve never been in a position like that where you come all the way back from last place to second in the Metro(politan Division). Then you have some crazy losing streak, and you’re out of it. I didn’t produce down the stretch.”

Werenski and the Blue Jackets know getting off to a strong start this season is paramount, especially with seven of the first nine games being at home. They open the season on Oct. 1 against Buffalo, marking the first time Columbus has opened at home in three seasons.