Zach Werenski is no longer on the trade market.
The Blue Jackets announced the news in a statement from the 2026 Norris Trophy winner toward the end of the first day of free agency.
Statement from Zach Werenski
Don and I have had very open and honest dialogue since the season ended. Ideally, this wouldn’t have become such a public thing but that is the world we live in now and everything got blown out of proportion in my opinion. I want to win and I want to do that in Columbus.
As I’ve thought about things and discussed everything with my wife and family, we want to be in Columbus. It has been my home for the past 10 years and I have always been proud to be a Blue Jacket.
We have the best fans in the NHL. I love my teammates and coaches and I’m looking forward to doing everything I can to get us back in the playoffs to compete for a Stanley Cup. Don and I are completely aligned on that and are excited about what’s to come with our team.
Werenski was initially put on the trade block in the offseason when he told Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell that he was unlikely to sign an extension when his contract was up in two seasons. Waddell’s attempts to deal Werenski were ultimately fruitless, as the star rearguard nixed a deal in place with the Dallas Stars via his no-movement clause earlier this week. Thomas Harley was reportedly a part of the return.
Werenski, a veteran of 11 seasons in Columbus, is signed through the 2027-28 season with a $9.583 million cap hit. The Blue Jackets could sign him to an extension next summer.
The Blue Jackets have made it to the playoffs just four times in the Werenski Era, losing in the first round every time.
