Werenski and Morrissey Sign Extensions

While so many restricted free-agents remain without a contract, the Columbus Blue Jackets and Winnipeg Jets were able to lock-up two of the best young defensemen in the NHL this week. 

On Monday the Blue Jackets signed Zach Werenski to a bridge deal. The two sides agreed to terms on a three-year extension that carries a $5.0M AAV cap-hit.

According to PuckPedia.com, this makes Werenski the second-highest-paid defensemen on the team, second to Seth Jones, and keeps him under control as an RFA after the 2022 season. Werenski is coming off of an 11-goal, 33-assist season in 2019 and we have him projected for 14 goals and 33 assists (47 points) in 79 games this year. Overall, Werenski ranked as the No.15 fantasy defenseman and grades out as the No.17 left-defenseman in the NHL according to Corsica Player Ratings. 

Full Werenski Projections: 

The Jets got an early jump on the Morrissey extension signing him to an eight-year, $6.25M AAV deal on Thursday.

Morrissey is entering the final year of a contract that carries a $3.15M AAV cap hit, making him one of the league’s biggest bargains this season. The 24-year-old is the only defenseman on the team that is signed through the 2021 season but joins Blake Wheeler, Mark Scheifele, Nikolaj Ehlers, Bryan Little, and Connor Hellebuyck with contracts tying them to Winnipeg for at least four more seasons. 

Morrissey doesn’t have the same offensive-pedigree as Werenski but is coming off of a career-high 31 points (6G / 25A) despite missing 23 games last year. With Jacob Trouba now with the New York Rangers, Morrissey should see a bump in power-play time, but will still be limited to the second unit while Dustin Byfuglien is healthy. Morrisey is ranked as our No.52 fantasy defenseman and the No.48 ranked left-defenseman per Corsica. 

Full Morrissey Projections: