Zach Werenski and the Blue Jackets agree to a six-year contract extension
The Columbus Blue Jackets moved on from one of their top-pairing defenders this summer and inked the other to a long-term contract extension.
The team traded @Seth Jones, who was one year from unrestricted free agency, ahead of the draft to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for a first-round pick and multiple prospects. A week later, the team agreed to a six-year extension with @Zach Werenski worth $9,583,000 annually.
Big deal for Zach Werenski: He signs a six-year extension with #CBJ carrying a $9.583M AAV.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 30, 2021
Werenski was drafted by the Blue Jackets with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2015 draft out of the University of Michigan. He played one more year of college hockey in 2015-16 before breaking into the NHL the following season with a 47-point campaign.
Through five seasons in the NHL, Werenski has played in 335 games, scoring 65 goals and 189 points while logging an average of 22L43 per game. He’s also added 13 points over the course of 29 playoff games for the Blue Jackets.
Werenski’s $9,583,000 cap hit will be the third-highest in the NHL among defenders in 2021-22. Erik Karlsson leads the way at $11,500,000 annually, followed by @Drew Doughty at $11,000,000. @Seth Jones’ new deal with the Blackhawks is right behind Werenski at $9,500,000 annually.