Columbus Blue Jackets
· 2026-07-03
The Columbus Blue Jackets and star defenseman Zach Werenski are on the same page after a trade veto, with Werenski deciding to stay in less than an hour.
General manager Don Waddell met with Werenski to clear the air, and both issued statements proclaiming all was well.
The meeting came after Werenski rejected a trade to the Dallas Stars, with Waddell saying the veto was more about staying with the Blue Jackets.
Werenski's decision is a significant boost for the Blue Jackets, who are looking to improve on their 40-30 record and 11th place standing in the Eastern Conference.
The team has come painfully short of the playoffs in recent years, including a 3-9-1 stretch last season.
Waddell said the team will focus on the upcoming season, with Werenski's goal of getting the Blue Jackets into the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2020.
The Blue Jackets are currently on a L2 streak, but with Werenski on board, they are looking to turn things around.
Werenski's contract has two years remaining, including a full no-trade clause this year, which gets reduced to 10 teams on July 1, 2027.
The Norris Trophy winner had 81 points last season, including 22 goals, and tied the franchise record for assists with 59.
Waddell also mentioned the possibility of Werenski being named the Blue Jackets' next captain, but that decision likely won't be made until training camp in September.
The Blue Jackets' rookie development camp has concluded, and the team is looking forward to the new season with Werenski leading the charge.
And with Werenski's intentions to stay in Columbus, the team can focus on building a strong roster around him.
But the Blue Jackets still have work to do, with forward Kirill Marchenko also having two years remaining on his contract.
So the team will look to make some moves in the offseason to strengthen their lineup.
Werenski's agent, Judd Moldaver, and the Blue Jackets' director of player development, Rick Nash, were also present at the meeting with Waddell.
The meeting was a positive step forward for the team, and they are looking to build on that momentum.
The Blue Jackets are currently standing at 11th in the Eastern Conference, with a 40-30 record, and are looking to improve on that standing.