How the Ryan Ellis Contract effects Zach Werenski
The Nashville Predators and defenseman Ryan Ellis have agreed to a 8-year, $50 million contract. What does that mean for the Columbus Blue Jackets and Zach Werenski?
We all know Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky‘s contract expire at the end of the 2019 season. But the Columbus Blue Jackets most important contract may be that of defenseman Zach Werenski.
The blueliner’s entry level deal is up at the end of this season and the Jackets are going to look to lock Werenski up on a long term deal. He is a restricted free agent at the end of the year. In just two seasons, Z has proven he is a top flight defenseman and will continue to be for the next decade.
The Nashville Predators just locked up one of their many top flight defenseman for the next eight years. Ryan Ellis signed an 8-year deal worth $50 million with the Preds without any movement clauses.
Columbus Blue Jackets
For a D-man of Ellis’ caliber this is an absolute steal. Though he dealt with an injury last season, Ellis still had 32 points in 44 games. That’s an absurd 60 point pace over a full season. 60 points would have put him seventh in the league for blue line scoring. Although he will be 36-years-old when the contract ends, the 8% cap hit contract will age nicely.
The Jackets are looking to re-sign an Ellis-like defenseman in Zach Werenski. Last year, with a torn labrum, he finished second in goals by a defenseman. Although it is only a two year sample, Z is scoring above a half point per game. Ellis is scoring at a .43 point per game pace. The both have similar Corsi rates as well.
Ellis clearly took a home town discount to help out the Preds. He could have easily taken home $7.5 million a year if he wanted to. Plus he left the movement clauses on the table which may come in handy down the road if the Predators ever want to move him.
The same can be said about Werenski. Although he is an RFA, his talent level and high ceiling will demand a big number. Also the Jackets will look to give Z a long term deal which will buy up future UFA years, which need to be compensated for.
A confusing twist is the lack of no movement clauses in Ellis’ deal. He could have asked for that or more money easily. I suspect this will not be the case with Werenski.
18-19 Expectations for Z. dark. Next
A seven year deal around $45 million would be a great deal for the Jackets as they work to sign Z. This is just a bit more than what Ellis is making and you lock down Zach Werenski until he is 28. Then Zach could sign another huge deal after that as he would be still in the prime of his career.