As training camp gets under way in Columbus, the Blue Jackets and their faithful feel fortunate that Zach Werenski is in attendance. After a summer of turmoil that included one reportedly nixed trade, #8 is ready to get to work and help this team take the next step.
Before the final horn sounded on last year's campaign, we were already talking about how important this summer would be for this franchise. Unfortunately, in a year where it felt like they just needed one or two tweaks to turn this team into a contender, everything blew up around late June.
There were rumblings that Werenski had requested a trade. There were rumblings that Kirill Marchenko was also unhappy, which culminated in Kevin Weekes ruining the team's first round draft selection moment.
Eventually, those rumblings quieted down-but not before Werenski was traded. No, seriously. He was traded to the Dallas Stars, only to use his no trade clause to shut the deal down. Ever since that moment, Zach has said all of the right things, but there are still a lot of questions surrounding his future. And Marchenko's.
For the time being, we'll believe what the player is saying, which has been mostly positive. Zach has said all of the right things, often circling back to wanting to play in Columbus and help build a winner here.
He is certainly capable. In each of the last two seasons, he's exceeded 80 points, giving him the second (tied) and third highest scoring campaigns in franchise history. If he can do that again, he'll be right on track to break Rick Nash's career scoring record with the team. Reminder: he's a defenseman.
Last year, he won the Norris Trophy as the best defenseman in the NHL. He also starred for team USA en-route to a gold medal, setting up the overtime winner by out-muscling Nathan MacKinnon. There isn't really any other way to put it: he's at the very top of his game, and he is one of the best at his craft in the entire world.
This team needs to come up to his level.
Werenski has not directly stated it, but he has made something abundantly clear: the key to keeping him in Columbus beyond the end of his current contract, is this team turning into a true contender. Not just a wild card team that sneaks in and might fumble their way into a playoff round win. He wants a team that actually has Stanley Cup aspirations.
He's 29 years old now, right in the middle of his prime. He has maybe 3 or 4 more years of playing at his current level, left in his body. With 2 years remaining on his contract, I don't think this is an unfair approach by the franchise defenseman.
Zach has shown plenty of loyalty to the Blue Jackets and the city of Columbus. It's now time for this team to repay him by taking that next step and becoming a true Stanley Cup contender, starting this year. With him leading the way, they have as good a shot as anyone else.
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