Jackets, Werenski’s agent optimistic about deal
As the last few weeks of summer pass, the waiting game continues for NHL teams with high-profile restricted free agents in contract limbo.
That includes the Blue Jackets, who have yet to strike a new deal with 22-year-old defenseman Zach Werenski, a rising star they plan to keep long-term. Coming off his entry-level contract, which carried a salary-cap charge of $925,000 per season, Werenski is due for a big raise regardless of term on the extension.
The bigger question, however, is about timing — as training camps across the league are set to open in a month.
“I’m not the least bit worried,” general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said Tuesday. “He’s a good player. We like him. We want to give him a fair contract and continue. We’re not the least bit worried.”
Werenski declined an interview request Tuesday through a team representative, stating that he wants to wait to make any comments until after a deal is reached, but agent Pat Brisson — who also represents Werenski’s usual defensive partner, Seth Jones — sounds equally confident. The agent for Zach Werenski, center, said he wants to have an agreement on a contract for the Blue Jackets defenseman before training camp opens in September.
“I have been in communication with the (Blue Jackets) throughout the summer,” Brisson said. “It’s our intention to have an agreement in time for camp. I’m most certain we will be continuing our talks in the near future.”
One thing that is known is that Werenski isn’t alone.
According to a list compiled by Capfriendly.com, there are 46 restricted free agents unsigned. Toronto forward Mitch Marner is the biggest name, but those still seeking deals also include Tampa Bay center Brayden Point, Colorado forward Mikko Rantanen, Winnipeg forwards Kyle Connor and Patrik Laine, Calgary
forward Matthew Tkachuk, Vancouver forward Brock Boeser and Boston defenseman Charlie Mcavoy.
A couple of star restricted free agents have signed extensions, but each situation was helped by extenuating circumstances.
The Rangers were under pressure to sign defenseman Jacob Trouba long-term after acquiring him from the Jets in June, and forward Sebastian Aho re-signed with Carolina after first signing an offer sheet with Montreal — which forced the Hurricanes to either match the offer or let him go for a package of draft picks.
Otherwise, the sound of crickets has defined the restricted free agent market.
“Have you seen all the restricted free agents and the contracts that have come in so far?” Kekalainen asked, rhetorically. “Sebastian Aho is the only one, basically, out of the big boys — and he had an offer sheet.”
Werenski doesn’t have an offer sheet as leverage, and even if he did the Blue Jackets — who have an estimated $15.7 million in cap space — would almost certainly match it. Werenski also lacks arbitration rights at his age.
He does, however, have 128 points, including 90 assists, through his first three seasons — numbers that rival what defensemen Drew Doughty of Los Angeles and Erik Karlsson of San Jose, both stars, had at the same point in their careers.
Werenski could hold out from training camp, like forward Josh Anderson did before the 2017-18 season, but Kekalainen doesn’t sound concerned about that.
Kekalainen did not confirm nor deny a report Monday in The Athletic that said the Blue Jackets denied the Minnesota Wild permission to speak with associate general manager Bill Zito about its vacant general manager position.
“I don’t ever speak on behalf of the other organizations, what they ask or don’t ask, or who they interview or don’t interview, so I’m not going to go there,” Kekalainen said, when asked to confirm the report. “We don’t ever stand in the way of people advancing. That’s our principle. I’ll just leave it at that.”
Zito, 54, was promoted in June to senior vice president of hockey operations while keeping his previous title. He was also named one of the Jackets’ alternate governors. He has interviewed for several general manager openings the past couple of years, including Minnesota, but the Wild instead hired Paul Fenton in May 2018.
Fenton, however, was fired last month. Zito’s name usually comes up whenever there is an opening now, but it might be a difficult time for him to leave. His wife, Julie, is fighting breast cancer, which sparked his recent 100-mile bike ride during the annual Pelotonia fundraiser for cancer research.
Zito raised more than $150,000, a record amount for one individual in the event’s history.