Will Zach Werenski Be the Next Blue Jackets Star to Force His Way Out of Columbus?

Following The Hockey Writers‘ Mark Scheig‘s recent conversation with Don Waddell, the Columbus Blue Jackets general manager, it seems Waddell understands how the NHL is beginning to adapt to the National Basketball Association style of player control over their situations. Waddell hopes that trend does not continue.

As evidenced by the recent trade request out of Dylan Larkin‘s camp, the captain of the Detroit Red Wings no longer wants to be in the Motor City. Could his good friend and fellow Michigan native Zach Werenski be the next to request out?

The Blue Jackets have now missed the playoffs for six consecutive seasons, and one of the top defensemen in the NHL, as evidenced by his recent Norris Trophy win, probably doesn’t want to wait around for a rebuild in the prime of his career. He wants to win, and he is ready to win now.

What Is Keeping Werenski in Columbus?

One of the big things keeping Werenski in Columbus might be a letter change on his sweater coming later this summer. It is increasingly likely that Boone Jenner will test the market with his new agent and thus play elsewhere for the first time in his career.

If, in fact, Werenski is named the eighth captain in team history, you have to imagine he would have more of an inclination to stay with the Blue Jackets. However, winning solves all issues — or at least masks them — and the Blue Jackets haven’t done enough of that lately to give Werenski enough comfort to know they will compete consistently moving forward. This could be a huge offseason to dictate how the front office really feels.

Another thing keeping Werenski in Columbus is the Michigan connection the Blue Jackets have begun to form. However, playing with multiple alumni from your former school is likely not enough to keep him happy either. So, what else can the Blue Jackets do outside of winning to ensure he stays in Columbus long term?

A contract extension may be another good answer to that proverbial question. He enters 2026-27 in the penultimate season of his extension signed in 2021, but as the salary cap continues to rise, the Blue Jackets may want to ensure their guy is taken care of comfortably.

Werenski could see a monster contract coming his way that could hold an average annual value (AAV) somewhere in the range of $11.5 million over eight years. That would tie him with Erik Karlsson as the highest-paid defenseman in the NHL (Karlsson enters the final year of his contract this season).

How much is Werenski valued by team management? How much weight does Werenski’s comments on the team’s inability to be in the playoffs hold? And how much urgency does Waddell have to keep his best player satisfied with the team’s direction?

Werenski’s Statements Show Push

In the days after his Norris Trophy win was announced, Werenski joined NHL Tonight and mentioned how much fun he had recently at both the World Championship and the Olympics, and wants that same level of success in the playoffs with the Blue Jackets.

“The one thing that has really stuck with me after the World Championships, and after the Olympics, was just how fun winning is,” said Werenski. “I obviously haven’t had that much success in the playoffs here in the NHL, and I want that to change.”

Werenski is not a guy who spends a lot of time giving the media bulletin-board material or big eye-popping quotes, but his words hold a lot of weight. Saying those things on a national stage such as NHL Tonight puts a ton of external pressure on Waddell to make it happen now.

Can the #CBJ do enough, fast enough, to keep Zach Werenski long-term?

It's shaping up to be an anxious offseason in the Buckeye State.

Blue Jackets Offseason Outlook 👇https://t.co/GA8OTPIu5l

— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) June 16, 2026

Now, a new mindset has to take shape. The Blue Jackets’ top player is being nationally recognized and will be highly sought after if he is not happy in his current spot. Columbus sees that, and now they have the chance to react.

Waddell said ownership would spend the money; it just needs to be spent correctly. In back-to-back seasons, the Blue Jackets fell just short of the playoffs after occupying a spot for a significant amount of time during the season.

What additions can Waddell make to not only give the Blue Jackets a chance, but also keep his best player from asking to leave like many others have begun to do? Werenski will hold all the cards, but will he trust management or start looking for a new home?