Zach Werenski Knows Trade Noise Will Pick Up Again

After a summer full of trade speculation, Zach Werenski is still a Columbus Blue Jacket, for now at least.

Many around the hockey world believe the Werenski trade talk will reemerge sooner rather than later, especially if the Columbus Blue Jackets aren’t competing for a playoff spot.

On Wednesday, during the NHL/NHLPA Player Media Tour, it was Werenski himself who admitted that until he signs an extension in Columbus beyond his current deal, he expects the noise to pick up again.

Werenski said:

“I think it’s going to kick up until we have an extension. That’s just the nature of it. I think social media does that a lot as well. Fans are going to speculate. I think Quinn (Hughes)’s situation right now is in the forefront of his mind — what he’s going to do. So, yeah, I definitely think it’ll kick up again… I hope it doesn’t. I believe that we’re going to be a playoff team this year, and there’s nothing to talk about, and we’re just focused on that. But I guess I wouldn’t be surprised if I saw it kick up. Not because I want it to. It’s just the nature of contracts and everything that transpired over the summer,”

The 28-year-old Werenski is about to enter Year 5 of the six-year, $57.5 million contract extension he signed with the Blue Jackets back in 2021. He racked up 81 points (22 goals, 59 assists) in 75 games played last season en route to winning the Norris Trophy.