Returning to Columbus after the summer break, Columbus Blue Jackets star defenseman Zach Werenski said he'd "ideally" like to stay with the team long term.
This follows a complicated offseason in which his future with the Blue Jackets seemed in jeopardy.
Meeting with the media on Aug. 13, Werenski addressed this summer's trade rumors, which speculated his exit from the team with which he has spent his entire decade-long NHL career.
"[It's] not something I don't think either myself or Don [Waddell] kind of intended on it to get to," Werenski said. "I think my statement is exactly how I feel. I want to win and I want to win here in Columbus. That's all I'm focused on, and that hasn't changed since the end of last season."
Werenski, 28, is the NHL's
reigning Norris Trophy winner as the league's best defenseman, as chosen by the Professional Hockey Writers Association. After the Blue Jackets skidded out of the playoffs, a report on June 10 from The Athletic stated that Werenski might request a trade out of Columbus.
On June 30, multiple outlets reported that Werenski rejected a proposed trade to the Dallas Stars.
"I really don't want to, I guess, talk about another team and situation," Werenski said. "To me, [Columbus] is where I always wanted to be. ... I kind of heard about it, and then it was just like, 'I'm playing in Columbus next year.' That was my thought on it."
Werenski continued: "So, I really didn't give it too much of a thought. I honestly went to bed and woke up to that article ... like, I don't know. I didn't really have too much thought on it. I kind of was trying to figure out what was going on. But yeah, it got crazy for sure."
After the trade speculation, Waddell and Werenski met, with Werenski's agent Judd Moldaver joining them. Waddell and Werenski both released statements after. Werenski's July statement reflected his remarks in August; he emphasized his desire to "win now" and to win in Columbus.
Said Werenski: "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. I want to see us in the playoffs, and I want to see us make progress, and I feel like we've done that. ... I think winning solves everything, and that's where we have to get as a club, and we have to raise our standards and expectations."
Waddell's July statement confirmed he had met with Werenski about his future with the team, as well as exploring opportunities to trade him out of Columbus. Although he didn't reference Dallas, Waddell said he spoke to Werenski about a trade that worked for the Blue Jackets, and Werenski informed Waddell he wanted to stay.
"Me and Don [Waddell] have had great conversations about everything," Werenski said. "I do have two years left on my deal, and I don't know what's going to happen. All I know is that I'm going to be the best player I can be this season for this team. But at the end of the day, there was a business side of it. ... If you were to ask [Waddell], and I don't know this, but ideally, I'm here for the long term, and it's on a winning team."
The rumors were just one aspect of a packed summer for Werenski, who became a new father with the birth of his son in May. Through it all, Werenski said he kept in constant communication with his teammates via FaceTime to let them know he intended to remain with the team.
"After the statement came out, I got a lot of texts from the guys, just fired up that I'll be back," he added.
The Blue Jackets' roster has undergone substantial changes. Former team captain Boone Jenner, the team's longest-tenured player, signed with the Washington Capitals as a free agent after 13 seasons in Columbus. The team also added veteran winger Valeri Nichushkin from the Colorado Avalanche and extended the deals of goalie Jet Greaves and forward Cole Sillinger.
Werenski said he liked the moves that Waddell had made toward winning next season. He also acknowledged the vacancy of a captain after Jenner's exit.
"It'd be an honor. I've obviously been there for 10 years. ... I was fortunate enough to learn from guys like [Nick Foligno] and Booner, guys that have worn it before. ... I definitely feel like I'm capable of it, but we'll see," Werenski said.
Werenski's contract expires after the end of the 2027-28 season. Per NHL rules, he cannot sign an extension until July 1, 2027. Reiterating his desire to stay in Columbus, Werenski told the media he would not answer any questions about his career plans.
For now, Werenski is headed back to his home state of Michigan, where he will stay until the first week of September. The Blue Jackets' first preseason game is on Sept. 21.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Blue Jackets' Zach Werenski wants to stay in Columbus 'long term'
