Zach Werenski Avoids Hell From Torts, Signs Three-Year Extension And Misses No Camp Time

It was just last week when the coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets, John Tortorella, answered questions about one of his best defensemen (Zach Werenski) missing camp. “Disgusted” is how the Blue Jackets coach described he would feel if Werenski missed even one minute of training camp. Well, Werenski heard his coach’s roar as the defenseman signed a three-year extension, worth $15 million today.

We talked about it on Spittin’ Chiclets last week, it probably wouldn’t have been in Zach Werenski’s best interests to miss any time in training camp. Not for any other reason than Torts would have been a giant prick to him all preseason. The last thing any 22-year-old wants is a coach up their ass to start a season, especially Torts. The Blue Jackets probably need Werenski more than they need Torts too, so there isn’t really much Torts would have been able to do besides bust his balls for everything he did.

Great deal for the Blue Jackets though, getting a top-20 defenseman for under $5.5m AAV is always a no-brainer. Personally, I thought we’d see Werenski be more in the $7m AAV range. According to capfriendly, when his new deal ends he’ll still be one year away from being a UFA, and he’ll be due for a MAJOR ticket. So both sides get a win here. Werenski’s next deal will be massive while they have him on a good bridge deal for the next three seasons.

At 22-years-old, there is zero question Werenski has established himself as a top-20 dman. Last season he played in every game, adding 11 goals and 33 assists. Most importantly, this is the first domino to fall in the shit storm RFA situation going on in the NHL right now. Some huge names still haven’t signed, including Mitch Marner, Charlie McAvoy and Matthew Tkachuk, so expect some more names to get locked up soon.