Zach Werenski believes Blue Jackets fans still on his side

HENDERSON, Nev. -- Star defenseman Zach Werenski expects a positive reception from Columbus Blue Jackets fans after a turbulent offseason that put his future with the franchise into question.

Werenski, who won the Norris Trophy as the NHL's best defenseman last season, informed general manager Don Waddell that he was unlikely to sign another contract with the Blue Jackets when his current deal is up after the 2027-28 season. Waddell sought a trade for Werenski in the offseason. He had a deal in place with the Dallas Stars, but Werenski used his no-movement clause to veto it.

As all of this was made public to fans, Werenski and the team released statements in July that attempted to defuse the situation. Werenski said that "everything got blown out of proportion" and reaffirmed his commitment to win in Columbus, which has missed the playoffs in six straight seasons.

Werenski told ESPN on Wednesday that he anticipates the fan reaction will be positive when he returns to the Blue Jackets for the 2026-27 season, despite the offseason drama.

"I think it'd be good," he said at the NHL/NHLPA North American player media tour in Las Vegas. "Obviously, I've been very vocal about how much I love Columbus and the organization in the city. I want to be there for a while. That's the goal at the end of the day. I don't know how people are feeling. I guess we'll see. But I would assume everything's going to be fine."

Werenski, 29, is entering his 11th NHL season. The Blue Jackets selected him with the No. 8 pick in the 2015 draft. He's blossomed into one of hockey's premier two-way defenders, averaging over 26 minutes of ice time the past two seasons while leading Columbus in scoring with over 80 points in each. In addition to the Norris Trophy, he helped Team USA to Olympic gold in Italy.

He has two more years on his contract with a cap hit of $9,583,334. The market for defensemen was dramatically reset recently when Colorado Avalanche star Cale Makar became the league's first $20 million-per-year player, signing an eight-year extension that begins in 2027-28 and carries a $20.4 million cap hit.

Werenski's contract status changes after this season, going from a full no-movement clause to a partial no-trade clause and taking some control of his future out of his hands.

"You try not to think about those things, but it is on your radar," he said. "I do know I have 10 team trade list next summer and next season. It's hard."

But Werenski said that his contract status could also be impactful when it comes to potential trades.

"I'm not thinking that far ahead because I do want to be in Columbus, but I think people maybe forget that teams don't want to give up a lot if they're not going to extend [you]," he said.

"I know that this is my last year for a full no-trade and I'm not trying to use it. Hopefully they don't trade me next year, either. But like I said, a lot of teams will ask if you're willing to extend and if not, they won't trade for you. There's kind of the 'game within the game.' But I hope it doesn't come to that."