Zach Werenski didn't get to throw any punches after an illegal hit in the Blue Jackets' season-opener knocked him out of the lineup.
One week later, the Blue Jackets' star defenseman sent a verbal shot at Philadelphia Flyers forward Garnet Hathway, who gave Werenski a severe contusion above his right knee on a late hit that began with his own right knee extended.
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"I knew when it happened it wasn't (a knee injury), but I'm definitely lucky," Werenski said. "I mean, it's a dirty play. It's just dumb on his part. I don't want to go there, on how I feel about it, but it could've been a lot worse, I guess."
Werenski did catch a break. He's back on injured reserve after spending all but 13 games on that list last season, but he could return this weekend, possibly as soon as Friday against the Calgary Flames .
That hasn't softened his feelings about Hathaway, who finished the hit while the puck was in the corner.
Hathaway was eventually given a kneeing minor and fined $5,000 by the NHL's department of player safety, which is the maximum amount allowed per the league's collective bargaining agreement with the NHL Players' Association. Following the game, Blue Jackets defenseman Erik Gudbranson called the hit "dirty" while using an expletive for emphasis, and goalie Elvis Merzlikins issued the same assessment the next day.
Down the hall at Nationwide Arena that night, Hathaway wasn't available for comment and Flyers coach John Tortorella, who coached Werenski with the Blue Jackets, said he didn't think the hit should've been a penalty. Tortorella also heaped praise on his former star defenseman, but Werenski hasn't heard a word from Hathaway.
"He didn't say anything (on the ice)," Werenski said. "He just tapped me, which, I mean … he knew what he was doing on the play. It's … I don't want to go there. It's a dirty play."
The good news for Werenski is the way his leg reacted to a tough practice Wednesday.
"I asked him during the skate, at the end, how his body was feeling, and he said, 'Pretty good,' so that's good news," coach Pascal Vincent said. "It's a perfect day to come back. You can push yourself and see how you feel."
Werenski said he could barely walk Tuesday.
"Obviously, I've had 'Charley Horses' from shots and pucks and bumps on it, but I've never had one that bad," he said. "It was a lot worse than I could've imagined it was going to be."
After missing nearly a year following shoulder surgery , Werenski still needs to knock off some rust by logging a lot of shifts. His stats against the Flyers weren't pretty, which already had Werenski feeling frustrated at the time Hathaway drove straight at him with his bent knee.
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Returning to action and working though any remaining issues from last season's layoff is now the goal.
"I thought my last game of the preseason was my best one," Werenski said. "(I was) most consistent, just steady … and the regular season was just faster. I felt like I didn't have much going for me that night. It's unfortunate. I've had to sit there and think about that game because I didn't play good, but it's over now and I'm hoping I can get back on the ice Friday with the guys."
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Blue Jackets' Werenski calls Garnet Hathaway hit 'dirty'
