Rumor: Werenski, CBJ to Meet about Future After the Draft

[KJ Dangler]

According to several sources, the Columbus Blue Jackets will meet with Norris Trophy winner Zach Werenski after the draft to discuss his future with the organization.
There’s been a lot of noise around Werenski, who has two years remaining on his current contract with the Blue Jackets. They can extend him as soon as July 1, 2027.
But, at a time where trade requests, both public and private, and the fallout from them, have dominated the NHL’s news cycle, speculation intensified that Werenski might be next to declare his intentions for the future.
While that has not occurred to this point, Werenski’s importance to the Blue Jackets is enormous, and they have to get a handle on where things stand.
We should have a clearer picture sometime after Saturday.

 

[ClevelandJacketFan]

No reason to meet unless there is something that needs to be addressed.

So don't love that this is coming out.

 

[KJ Dangler]

Sorry.. this with Werenski has legs .. waiting till after the draft is just great… if the right deal comes .. I would move him prior … why a meeting after the draft ?

 

[JohnnyJacket13]

Sorry.. this with Werenski has legs .. waiting till after the draft is just great… if the right deal comes .. I would move him prior … why a meeting after the draft ?

Because he's being given the "C" in this meeting

 

[ClevelandJacketFan]

Sorry.. this with Werenski has legs .. waiting till after the draft is just great… if the right deal comes .. I would move him prior … why a meeting after the draft ?

If they have an inkling he's going to ask out, I'm exploring moving him to SJS for 2, 9 ++

 

[AnonCommentary]

Usually I would ignore but the amount of stuff coming out .... really makes me curious.

 

[ClevelandJacketFan]

Because he's being given the "C" in this meeting

Don't know if that really requires a face to face meeting.

 

[MissADD]

According to several sources, the Columbus Blue Jackets will meet with Norris Trophy winner Zach Werenski after the draft to discuss his future with the organization.
There’s been a lot of noise around Werenski, who has two years remaining on his current contract with the Blue Jackets. They can extend him as soon as July 1, 2027.
But, at a time where trade requests, both public and private, and the fallout from them, have dominated the NHL’s news cycle, speculation intensified that Werenski might be next to declare his intentions for the future.
While that has not occurred to this point, Werenski’s importance to the Blue Jackets is enormous, and they have to get a handle on where things stand.
We should have a clearer picture sometime after Saturday.

I'd look to trade him now. We all know that's where this is heading. Forget Saturday. Get that bag before the draft

 

[Indy18]

Sorry.. this with Werenski has legs .. waiting till after the draft is just great… if the right deal comes .. I would move him prior … why a meeting after the draft ?

If it was before the draft I would be significantly more concerned

 

[CBJWerenski8]

According to several sources, the Columbus Blue Jackets will meet with Norris Trophy winner Zach Werenski after the draft to discuss his future with the organization.
There’s been a lot of noise around Werenski, who has two years remaining on his current contract with the Blue Jackets. They can extend him as soon as July 1, 2027.
But, at a time where trade requests, both public and private, and the fallout from them, have dominated the NHL’s news cycle, speculation intensified that Werenski might be next to declare his intentions for the future.
While that has not occurred to this point, Werenski’s importance to the Blue Jackets is enormous, and they have to get a handle on where things stand.
We should have a clearer picture sometime after Saturday.

This f***ing sucks.

You don’t meet if it’s not for a reason to meet. You typically don’t go to someone and say things are all good.

 

[Indy18]

This f***ing sucks.

You don’t meet if it’s not for a reason to meet. You typically don’t go to someone and say things are all good.

The fact its after the draft says alot. If it was before the draft its over...if its after then that destroys all Free agency planning and significantly pushes CBJ back. You can have Z pop in there saying "i want out" when the draft is this week and then you need to wait a year to develop those picks.

Nah this feels more damage control than anything else.

 

[Longtime Local]

Maybe I’m just coping, but I think it’s entirely within the realm of possibility that trading Werenski for an elite forward like Robertson or Thomas would actually make the team better. We are currently loaded with good defensemen and lack good forwards.

 

[AnonCommentary]

A little nervous we may make a panic move.

 

[KJ Dangler]

The fact its after the draft says alot. If it was before the draft its over...if its after then that destroys all Free agency planning and significantly pushes CBJ back.

This feels more damage control than anything

Not really .. you think Don has the capacity 2 days before the draft to arrange a sit down with Zach and his agent , to discuss plans .. that quickly ?

 

[AnonCommentary]

This is all hypothetical but if Z were to really move on ... it might just be the jolt this organization needs to be shaken up with staff changes / firings.

We would be forced to focus on Fantilli which Ive wanted because I dont know that we can compete in the east. Especially with Kyrou to the Capitals now.

 

[Indy18]

Not really .. you think Don has the capacity 2 days before the draft to arrange a sit down with Zach and his agent , to discuss plans .. that quickly ?

Yes...when those two days will delay a franchise by a year...

Yes

This is nothing I have scheduled multimillion dollar contracts that last 5+ year in less than 24 hours.

 

[MissADD]

Don't know if that really requires a face to face meeting.

To be fair I can see the social media / marketing teams wanting to get that moment on camera if you were to be named captain. But I don't see that being the topic of the meeting

 

[Aaaarrgghh]

Spitballing theories... maybe Waddell got a really, really good offer?

"Zach, I've been offered Harley and Robertson for you and Voronkov. Do I pull the trigger?"

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Sorry yall. You don’t meet unless there’s something to meet about. If he was intent on staying, that would just be a phone call. If he truly wanted the speculation to end he would make a statement or something.

Z is a stand up guy, who respects Waddell and this organization. Hes going to do it in person. But this is definitely happening

 

[MissADD]

The worst part is majority of the media is basically willing this to happen. The media knows they have some pull in terms of perception of a player and everything. I still remember when Johnny signed here almost everyone questioned his thought process. I know athletes are told to tune the media out but they are still human. You here multiple media people say you're wasting years here you start to believe it yourself.

 

[AnonCommentary]

IMO and I could be way off base here. However, Pagnotta and randoms are one thing. If EF and Lebrun have picked this up - I'm led to believe there is something behind the scenes. Maybe not necessarily leading to a trade but talks about the next move to improve the team? Not sure.

All love and respect to Z - but if this FO caters to him to appeal in a last-ditch effort .....

 

[ClevelandJacketFan]

Sorry yall. You don’t meet unless there’s something to meet about. If he was intent on staying, that would just be a phone call. If he truly wanted the speculation to end he would make a statement or something.

Z is a stand up guy, who respects Waddell and this organization. Hes going to do it in person. But this is definitely happening

Which is why if the FO has a feeling this is going to be coming, they should get ahead of him and do it now. Get a deal done before the draft and start this rebuild now.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Which is why if the FO has a feeling this is going to be coming, they should get ahead of him and do it now. Get a deal done before the draft and start this rebuild now.

No reason to fast track this. We have 1.5 years to make this trade. He better do it right.

 

[MissADD]

No reason to fast track this. We have 1.5 years to make this trade. He better do it right.

But doing it now get you a better return because the team you trade him to has two years to convince him to stay.

 

[AnonCommentary]

My guess has always been that the team needs to make play-offs otherwise he is out. However, the path did get a little more difficult.