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Blue Jackets news: Zach Werenski makes contract extension declaration amid trade chatter
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- Blue Jackets news: Zach Werenski makes contract extension declaration amid trade chatter
Blue Jackets news: Zach Werenski makes contract extension declaration amid trade chatter appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Columbus Blue Jackets boast one of the best defensemen in the NHL in Zach Werenski. Werenski has been the subject of a flurry of trade rumors this summer, though. The Blue Jackets defenseman is making a bold declaration about his wishes.
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"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, per NHL.com. "I want to see us in the playoffs, and I want to see us make progress and I feel like we've done that. 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 and that starts with myself.
"I fully plan on doing that this year, being even a better player, better leader, and a better person for my teammates and for this club and hopefully that just means I'm here even longer."
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Earlier this summer, it appeared that Werenski was on the move . A deal was in the works to send the defenseman to the Dallas Stars. Werenski vetoed that trade, the outlet reported.
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"It was tough for about a week there," Werenski said. "A lot of this stuff I was kind of learning for the first time reading it. It was stuff I didn't really know about or hear about. I felt like it was kind of misconstrued a little bit on how I felt or where I was at."
Werenski has played his entire NHL career with the Blue Jackets. He posted 81 points during the 2025-26 season. He then won the Norris Trophy, which goes to the top defenseman in the league.
Blue Jackets fans hope that the team has better success with Werenski on the roster. Columbus missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs this past season.
