COLUMBUS, Ohio — The fact that the Columbus Blue Jackets had agreed to trade defenseman Zach Werenski to the Dallas Stars in early July proves the rumors that swirled across the NHL weren’t without merit.
But that Werenski used his no-move clause to shoot down the trade to the Stars — one of the top clubs in the Western Conference — should be clear evidence that Werenski isn’t ready to quit on Columbus just yet.
So, where does this matter stand today, about one month before training camps open across the NHL?
Werenski met with reporters on Thursday at Nationwide Arena for the first time since he became one of the league’s biggest offseason stories, reiterating his desire to win with the Blue Jackets, the only NHL club he’s ever known.
He has two years remaining on his contract, with potential unrestricted free agency looming after the 2027-28 season.
“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 (than his current contract),” Werenski said. “I want to see us in the playoffs and I want to see us make progress, and I feel like we’ve done that.
“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 being an even better player, a better leader. And, hopefully, that just means I’m here even longer.”
Werenski was back in town for a charity function with the Blue Jackets. He’ll return for training camp in early September, he said, but wanted to address the matter before camp to avoid distractions.
As he drove into Columbus from his offseason home in the Detroit suburbs, Werenski said he texted his wife, Odette, to say he wishes they were already back in Columbus for good ahead of the season.
“After today, my focus is fully on our team winning,” Werenski said. “I’m not going to answer questions about my future. That’s why today was important to kind of get these (questions) out of the way.
“But when I come to camp, I think all my teammates will know how committed I am, and I’m just excited to get back out there with them.”
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Werenski, 29, had a joyous start to his offseason. On May 6, the Werenskis welcomed their first child, Hudson Charles. A month later, on June 2, Werenski was awarded the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s top defenseman.
But later that month, multiple reports surfaced that Werenski had indicated to Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell during his exit meeting that he was unlikely to sign an extension when his current contract expires after the 2027-28 season.
On June 26, as the first round of the NHL Draft was being held in Buffalo, The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reported that Waddell had begun listening to trade offers for Werenski from select teams.
On July 1, Werenski rejected a trade to Dallas that would have reportedly brought defenseman Thomas Harley and other players to Columbus.
Clearly, Werenski agreed, there was a miscommunication along the way. He never asked for a trade, he said, and never said definitively that he wouldn’t be signing an extension in Columbus, only that he can’t say today what might happen when his current deal expires.
But amid the swirling reports, Werenski, one of the most beloved players in the franchise’s history, was pilloried by many fans who thought he was just the latest star player to request a ticket out of Columbus.
“It was tough for about a week there,” Werenski said. “I felt like it was kind of misconstrued a little bit on how I felt. In saying that, people have jobs to do, and, you know, they’re getting their information from somewhere, but it definitely wasn’t from me.
“The only thing I can go off is mine and Don’s conversations, and we’ve had great conversations since right when the season ended. I don’t know what my agent (Judd Moldaver) and Don are talking about … well, I do, to an extent. But certain things started to swirl and kind of snowballed, and it escalated to a spot that neither me nor Don intended. At least that’s how I feel about it.”
Werenski finally called Waddell directly, he said, to make sure they got the situation “back on the tracks.”
The goal now, of course, is keeping it there. If the Blue Jackets win this season — they’ve missed the playoffs in six consecutive seasons — it might stop the speculation of a Werenski trade from surfacing at the deadline.
But there will be much curiosity next July 1, which is the earliest date Werenski can sign an extension with the Blue Jackets.
There are other questions to consider, too, such as the Blue Jackets’ vacant captaincy. Boone Jenner, who had a five-year run with the “C,” signed a free-agent contract with the Washington Capitals in July, and Werenski had been seen as the likely heir apparent.
Does his uncertain future change that? Good question. Blue Jackets coach Rick Bowness has said he’d like to name a captain in training camp.
“It would be an honor,” Werenski said. “Obviously, there are a lot of guys in that room that are leaders. I’m not sure what they’re gonna do. I feel like you probably find out more throughout camp.
“I’ve been here for 10 years. I’d be honored to be the captain of this franchise. I was fortunate enough to learn from guys like (Nick) Foligno and Booner, guys who have worn it before. I definitely feel like I’m capable of it, but we’ll see.”
