‘Everything got blown out of proportion’: Zach Werenski says he wants to remain with Blue Jackets
Zach Werenski’s name has been rampant in trade rumors ever since he won the 2026 Norris Trophy – but it doesn’t look like he’s going anywhere anytime soon.
In a statement posted on the Columbus Blue Jackets‘ social media, Werenski said he wants to remain with the Columbus Blue Jackets, citing positive conversations with GM Don Waddell.
“Don and I have had very open and honest dialogue since the season ended,” Werenski said. “Ideally, this wouldn’t have become such a public thing but that is the world we live in now and everything got blown out of proportion in my opinion. I want to win and I want to do that in Columbus.
Columbus Blue Jackets President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Don Waddell and All-Star defenseman Zach Werenski have issued the following statements today.
“As I’ve thought about things and discussed everything with my wife and family, we want to be in Columbus. It has been my home for the past 10 years and I have always been proud to be a Blue Jacket. We have the best fans in the NHL. I love my teammates and coaches and I’m looking forward to doing everything I can to get us back in the playoffs to compete for a Stanley Cup. Don and I are completely aligned on that and are excited about what’s to come with our team.”
Werenski beat out Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin and the Colorado Avalanche’s Cale Makar for to win the top defenseman award this year. He became the first player from the Blue Jackets to win the title.
The 28-year-old reached the 80-point mark for the second season in a row, scoring 22 goals and 59 assists for 81 points. A two-time finalist for the Norris, Werenski sat second in the NHL in defensive scoring, with his 81 points only trailing Edmonton Oilers defender Evan Bouchard. Werenski ended the regular season first in shots on goal (260) by a defenseman, with a 1.08 points per game, placing him second by Bouchard as well. Werenski was also second in the league in average time on ice (26:37).
Obviously, that’s not a guy the Blue Jackets would have wanted to trade without a big return.
“Earlier this spring, Zach and I met and talked about his future with the Blue Jackets beyond his current contract and he indicated that he wasn’t sure what the future would hold with regards to staying with the club or possibly moving on,” Waddell said in a team statement. “During those discussions, we talked about me exploring opportunities to move him now and we all agreed if there was a deal to be made that I would bring it to him.”
Werenski’s name was linked to multiple teams, and even vetoed a trade to the Dallas Stars.
“After some time and discussions with his family, Zach informed us that he didn’t want to leave Columbus,” Waddell’s statement continued. “He has invested a great deal in this organization and after coming close and falling short the past two seasons, his desire is to win here and get this team back into the playoffs. The past two seasons have been very challenging ones, but also ones of growth for our team. Our goals from ownership on down and Zach’s goals are the same… to win now, return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs and win a Stanley Cup. Our city and fans deserve nothing less and we are all on the same page working towards that end. Zach has been a very important part of this organization and our community for a long time, and we couldn’t be happier that he will continue to be moving forward.”