The Columbus Blue Jackets settled contract negotiations with restricted free agent Zach Werenski on Monday, giving the defenseman a three-year contract extension that is worth $15 million. Werenski was listed as one of the Blue Jackets' top priorities this off-season, but it took until the final week for them to get a deal done. The NHL preseason kicks off on Sunday night.
The team opens up training camp on Thursday, and they for sure wanted the 22-year-old signed before then. General manager Jarmo Kekalainen stated that he "couldn't be happier" about this deal getting done. Werenski has played in 237 games over his first three NHL seasons, scoring 38 goals with 90 assists in that time. He is coming off a season that saw him score 11 goals and record 33 assists, which added to the need to get him paid for his blue line work. Now that he is, he can now continue to be the dominant duo with fellow defenseman Seth Jones.
The team opens up training camp on Thursday, and they for sure wanted the 22-year-old signed before then. General manager Jarmo Kekalainen stated that he "couldn't be happier" about this deal getting done. Werenski has played in 237 games over his first three NHL seasons, scoring 38 goals with 90 assists in that time. He is coming off a season that saw him score 11 goals and record 33 assists, which added to the need to get him paid for his blue line work. Now that he is, he can now continue to be the dominant duo with fellow defenseman Seth Jones.
