In professional sports, maintaining optimism while staying grounded in reality is crucial. For veterans like Don Waddell, the General Manager of the Columbus Blue Jackets, this balancing act is a daily routine. While positivity alone doesn`t guarantee championships, the possibility of exceeding expectations is always present, for both teams and individual players.
Waddell acknowledges that this is exactly the situation in Columbus. Against many predictions, the Blue Jackets are surprisingly still in contention for a playoff spot as the NHL regular season nears its end. This unexpected push is largely due to the exceptional performance of their defenseman, Zach Werenski, whose impactful play has been a game-changer.
Even Waddell admits he didn`t foresee this level of success from Werenski. `I would be lying if I said I anticipated Werenski having such an outstanding year,` Waddell confessed to ESPN last month. `We hoped he was capable of it, and now it`s happening. His performance and leadership are carrying our team. Without him, I`m uncertain where we would be.`
Werenski can understand Waddell`s initial doubts, as he himself didn`t predict such a dominant season. However, like Waddell, he believed in his potential for such a campaign, one that would capture league-wide attention and place him firmly in the Norris Trophy conversation. Recent polls of Professional Hockey Writers` Association voters even showed Werenski receiving a significant percentage of first-place votes.
This isn`t just wishful thinking anymore – Werenski`s performance is undeniably top-tier.
`I feel like in previous years, the Norris Trophy discussion seemed to slip away from me,` Werenski mentioned in a recent ESPN interview. `Now, I`m performing at a level where people are considering me in that category, which is where I want to be.`
He added, `My primary focus is helping the team win. I believe that if I`m contributing to team success, then I`ll naturally be mentioned alongside players like Cale Makar, Quinn Hughes, and Rasmus Dahlin. I aspire to be seen as a number one defenseman, and I feel I`m beginning to achieve that.`
The question arises: Is Columbus`s unexpected success driving Werenski`s performance, or is Werenski`s brilliance fueling the team`s Cinderella-like season?
Currently, the answer is less important than the reality. The Blue Jackets are close to securing a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, aiming for their first postseason appearance since 2019-20. Werenski, leading the team with 74 points in 75 games, is committed to doing everything possible to reach that goal. Any Norris Trophy consideration would be a welcome bonus to this remarkable season.
`It feels great,` Werenski said about the season. `You don`t start the season expecting this. But it has been a special year, especially considering where we`ve been as a franchise in recent years. If you had told us at the beginning of the season that we`d be playing meaningful hockey at this point, we would have been thrilled. I truly believe our team has taken a significant step forward.`
The Columbus Blue Jackets` season is also defined by the tragic loss of Johnny Gaudreau. The late forward and his brother Matthew were killed in a car accident last August. This tragedy has deeply impacted the team, both on and off the ice. Players are united in their grief and have dedicated this season to honoring Gaudreau`s memory.
Waddell observed how this shared experience strengthened the team`s bond and decided against making significant trades before the deadline to avoid disrupting their chemistry.
`Given everything we`ve endured this year, and how the players have rallied and performed together, I felt it was important not to make major changes to the team,` Waddell explained. `This year is different. Under normal circumstances, I might have approached the trade deadline differently. However, we also believed, based on our play throughout the season, that we have a good team and didn`t want to disrupt the group too much. We are having an exceptional year considering the circumstances.`
Waddell credits Werenski as a primary reason for Columbus`s improved performance. He has been a consistent force for the Blue Jackets, especially as they navigated another season with numerous injuries. Key players like Boone Jenner, Erik Gudbranson, Sean Monahan, and Kirill Marchenko all missed significant time due to injuries.
It`s uncertain how Columbus`s season would have unfolded with a fully healthy roster. However, Werenski`s relative health has been a crucial factor. The 27-year-old has had his own share of injury issues in the past, including a season-ending injury in 2021 and a shoulder problem that limited him to just 13 games in the 2022-23 season.
Werenski believes his past injury struggles affected external perceptions of his abilities. He was determined to change that narrative.
Following his last shoulder surgery, Werenski committed to a proactive approach to his health. His new offseason regimen focused on soft tissue work, incorporating stretching and hip mobility exercises. He adopted a yoga routine, improved his diet, and prioritized sleep quality. This back-to-basics approach has clearly paid dividends.
The past two seasons mark the first time since 2018-19 that Werenski has played in at least 70 games. This consistency has allowed him to train effectively in consecutive offseasons and prepare properly. He has gained valuable insights about his body and conditioning in the process.
`I`ve realized that as I approach 28 this summer, it requires significantly more effort to prepare for a season than it did when I was younger,` he noted. `I`m more focused on specific areas now because of that. While I can accept unavoidable game injuries, I get frustrated with preventable soft tissue injuries like groin or hip flexor issues. These are things I can control.`
This shift in his training methodology is evident in Werenski`s improved health and performance. He incorporated short, intense yoga sessions with Joga and worked with trainer Brian Galivan at GVN Performance in Michigan, alongside other NHL players. Their approach worked. Werenski achieved a career-high 57 points in 70 games in 2023-24 and has surpassed that in what is rapidly becoming the most productive season of his career.
Currently, Werenski is second only to Makar in points among NHL defensemen, ranks third in even-strength goals among blueliners, and leads all defensemen in 5-on-5 scoring per 60 minutes. He has also rewritten Columbus`s franchise records, surpassing Rick Nash for the most career assists.
While Werenski may have always known his potential, realizing it on the ice has simply taken time.
`Many of the questions surrounding me have been about my health. But I`ve always had confidence in myself,` he stated. `I felt I had a strong offensive year last season, and I was healthy this past summer. Past offseason injuries hindered my training and preparation, which might have contributed to not achieving this level of success earlier. But last year also wasn`t where we wanted to be as a team.`
The Columbus Blue Jackets concluded the 2023-24 season by losing five of their last seven games, finishing 29th overall. Despite feeling he had a good individual season, Werenski used the experience of playing for Team USA at the IIHF World Championships to refocus and set ambitious goals for the current NHL season – both for the Blue Jackets and himself.
Werenski`s goals were twofold: to enter the Norris Trophy conversation and to be selected for the USA`s roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.
Both aspirations have been realized.
`I wanted to rejoin the top tier of defensemen,` he explained. `It`s presumptuous to say, `Oh, I want to win a Norris,` because every player does. I know it might not happen for me, and I`m okay with that. I don`t really set personal goals based on points or assists. I believe those things happen naturally with good play. My other goal was to make the 4 Nations team, and I achieved that as well.`
It was on the international stage at the 4 Nations Face-Off that Werenski demonstrated his evolution into a top-tier defenseman. When Charlie McAvoy was injured, Werenski stepped up to fill the void. He led all defensemen in the tournament with six points in four games, helping the USA reach the championship final.
This experience served as a preview for the upcoming 2026 Olympics. With the NHL returning to the Games, Werenski`s performance at the 4 Nations tournament makes him a strong contender for a roster spot in Milan.
While cautious about over-enthusiasm for the Olympics, Werenski acknowledges the 4 Nations Face-Off provided him with something more valuable than just future invitations.
`It boosted my confidence and affirmed that I can compete and make an impact at this high level,` he said. `As a player, you might always have some doubts. You question whether a successful season is a fluke, if you truly belong, and if you can consistently play your game.`
`I left the tournament feeling confident, knowing I can compete, I can contribute, and I can play at this level. That was very rewarding, considering all the hard work I`ve put in over the years.`
This confidence was evident to his teammates. Matthew Tkachuk praised Werenski, stating, `It`s his confidence with the puck. He`s all over the ice in a good way. He`s always in position and consistently leads the rush from defense, which is rare.`
Tkachuk continued, `He`s the engine for Columbus, and he`s doing an incredible job this year. I love watching him play. We play different positions and styles, but he`s become one of the most exciting players to watch.`
Werenski appreciates the praise but remains grounded. He understands the cyclical nature of opinions and expectations. As Columbus`s highest-paid player, in the midst of a significant contract, he is committed to delivering on the team`s investment.
`Ultimately, I`m in my prime. I`ve been in the league for nine years,` Werenski stated. `I put in the work. This success isn`t a fluke. This level of play is now my standard for how I need to impact the game for Columbus.`
His defensive partner, Ivan Provorov, is confident in Werenski`s continued success. `I don`t think many people underestimate him now,` Provorov said. `He`s an exceptional player in all aspects of the game – puck movement, skating, playmaking. He`s crucial to this team. His stats speak for themselves. His ability to cover the ice and be involved everywhere is incredibly important and why we trust him to lead us time and time again.`
Checking the scoreboard has become a nightly routine for Werenski and his teammates as the season winds down.
Columbus has been in a tight race with other teams for the final playoff spot in the East. The fluctuating results create a rollercoaster of emotions as they approach the finish line of the regular season, hoping to secure a playoff berth.
Even if Columbus doesn`t make the playoffs this season, it doesn`t diminish the progress they`ve made. The Blue Jackets are building towards a brighter future.
`Our mindset will shift after this season,` Werenski said. `We are so close now. Even if we miss the playoffs, next year we`ll come into camp with the realistic goal of making the playoffs. That`s our next step.`
This isn`t just talk. The Blue Jackets have a promising young core, complemented by experienced veterans. These players are committed to Columbus for a reason.
Furthermore, the memory of Johnny Gaudreau serves as a powerful motivator. His jersey remains in the dressing room, and his impact on the organization is deeply felt.
`We know how much he impacted this organization and team, and his influence continues every day,` Werenski emphasized. `We honor him by playing hard and enjoying the game, just as he did.`
This is a close-knit team, united by shared goals and experiences. They are determined to prove that their best days are ahead.
For Werenski, this belief has been a long time coming.
`Next season, we need to enter training camp with the expectation, not just hope, of making the playoffs,` he concluded. `We`ve gone too long without playoff hockey. Our younger players are developing, and our veterans are aware that time is limited. Our mindset is shifting, and this season has given us the confidence to aim for the playoffs next year.`
