Werenski looking at a huge raise

Jarmo Kekalainen didn’t spend much time talking about Zach Werenski’s contract status during his season-ending news conference.

In fact, the Blue Jackets general manager addressed it with just 19 words buried within a lengthy answer about his optimism for the future — including next season.

“I think with the performances from some of the defensemen that we saw later in the year … we saw that we have great depth on our 'D' going into next year,” Kekalainen said. “All players (are) under contract — except Zach is a restricted free agent, but I’m

sure we’ll come to an agreement. So I don’t know who has a better D-core than we do.”

He had a good point, because few teams can match the Jackets' quality depth along the blue line. That interlude on Werenski, though, will need a resolution at some point this offseason. Werenski has put up lofty offensive numbers in his first three seasons and is a major piece of the puzzle.

He will also be a pricey piece, who is due for a significant pay bump from the $925,000 cap hit tied to his expiring three-year entry-level contract. Werenski’s numbers in his first three NHL seasons are on par with the past three seasons for Seth Jones, his primary defense partner who has become a Norris Trophy contender.

Werenski has totaled 38 goals, 90 assists, 128 points and a plus-13 plus/minus rating in his first 237 games, which includes a minus-12 this season. Those would be impressive stats for most NHL defensemen, let alone one whose career is just beginning, so how much will the Blue Jackets have to ante up?

“I haven’t thought about it, honestly,” said Werenski, who is in Slovakia with the U.S. national team at the men’s world championship. “Obviously, that’s something we’re going to have to get done this summer, but I’m not worried about it at all.”

Kekalainen didn’t sound worried, either, Zach Werenski’s numbers through three seasons match up well with many NHL defensemen who have received lucrative contracts in recent years, including teammate Seth Jones. which is good news on both ends. The Jackets GM hasn’t spoken about the situation much, though— not surprising given his refusal to “negotiate in public”— and an attempt to reach him Monday was unsuccessful.

Werenski’s agent, Pat Brisson, who also represents Jones, was also unavailable. Brisson negotiated the six-year, $32.4 million extension Jones signed as a pending restricted free agent in 2016, and that contract carries a $5.4 million cap hit through the 2021-22 season.

Looking at sheer numbers for both at the same point in their careers, Werenski’s next deal may exceed it— and by a significant amount.

Jones was 21 when he signed his first extension and had played just three more games (240). He had 17 goals, 66 assists, 83 points and a minus34 rating. Werenski’s output tops those numbers in all but games.

Other comparable

players have netted contracts worth between $6 million and $7 million per season, with one outlier— Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad— getting $7.5 million a year for eight years in 2017.

Drew Doughty, for example, signed an eight-year contract in 2011 with the Los Angeles Kings worth $56 million, or $7 million per season, but that deal was struck before the NHL’S current collective bargaining agreement was signed. Doughty was 21 and had 33 goals, 93 assists, 126 points and a plus-16 rating in 239 games. Those numbers are right on par with Werenski's.

Erik Karlsson (2012) and Alex Pietrangelo (2013) were also comparable statistically, and each signed seven-year contracts for $45.5 million ($6.5 million cap hits). Karlsson was 22 when he signed with the Ottawa Senators; Pietrangelo was 23 when he signed with the St. Louis Blues.

More recently, Dallas Stars defenseman Esa Lindell signed a six-year extension this month worth $34.8 million, an average annual value of $5.8 million. Lindell is four years older

(25) and was eligible for salary arbitration, unlike Werenski, but his offensive numbers were significantly lower— 24 goals and 77 points in 239 games.

So, where will Werenski’s new deal ultimately land? Stay tuned, because he’s a major cog in the Jackets’ machine.