Zach Werenski Addresses Future After Blue Jackets Trade Drama

Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Zach Werenski Addresses Future After Blue Jackets Trade Drama

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Aug 14, 2026 7:00 AM ET

Uncertainty surrounded Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski as he entered the offseason with only two years remaining on his six-year, $57.5 million contract and his future in Ohio up in the air.

Columbus explored moving Werenski and even reached an agreement in principle with Dallas before the defenseman vetoed the proposed deal.

The Blue Jackets later announced Werenski would remain with the organization as communicated to it by the player, with general manager Don Waddell saying, "The end result is this is what we wanted. We didn’t want to have Zach go anywhere. When it came time to make a decision, he made it very clear to me, very directly and very passionately, that he wanted to be a Blue Jacket."

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (8) reacts after scoring a goal.Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

Speaking with reporters during Thursday's media availability, Werenski publicly discussed his future and opened the door to staying far beyond his current contract while making clear what could ultimately determine his future.

“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,” Werenski said.

The reigning Norris Trophy winner, however, tied that willingness to stay in Columbus to the Blue Jackets taking another step competitively and inching closer to hoisting the Stanley Cup.

“I want to see us in the playoffs, and I want to see us make progress,” Werenski said. “I think winning solves everything and that’s where we have to get to as a club. We have to raise our standards and expectations.”

Raising the standards this season

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— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) August 13, 2026

The 29-year-old blueliner cannot sign another extension until July 1, 2027, when the expectation is for him and the franchise to agree to a long-term deal.

Werenski currently carries a cap hit of slightly more than $9.58 million and is coming off scoring 81 points last year, the second consecutive season for him reaching that mark after scoring 82 two years ago.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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