If you’ve spent any time at Nationwide Arena lately, you’ve probably seen #8 glided across the ice with a weird sort of calm that doesn't really match the chaos of an NHL game.
Zach Werenski isn't just another defenseman.
Honestly, he’s basically the heartbeat of the Columbus Blue Jackets right now. While everyone was busy talking about the big names in Toronto or the flashy rookies in Chicago over the last few years, Werenski just quietly became one of the most productive blueliners on the planet.
You’ve probably seen the stats by now. Or maybe you haven't, because Columbus doesn't always get the "national media" love. But as of mid-January 2026, the guy is putting up numbers that make him a legit Norris Trophy candidate. We’re talking about a defenseman who’s on pace to flirt with 90 points this season. That isn't just "good for a Blue Jacket." That’s elite, period.
The Evolution of the Blue Jackets Anchor
It feels like forever ago that Werenski was the young kid paired with Seth Jones, doesn't it?
Now, at 28, he’s the veteran. He's the guy the younger players like Adam Fantilli and Denton Mateychuk look to when things get sideways. And things have definitely been "sideways" in Columbus lately. Between the coaching carousel—Rick Bowness just took over the reins from Dean Evason earlier this month—and the constant roster shuffling, Werenski has been the only real constant.
He’s currently riding a ridiculous 15-game home point streak. Read that again. Fifteen games. Every time he steps onto the ice in downtown Columbus, something happens.
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His skating is what really sets him apart. It’s effortless. He doesn't look like he’s working that hard, but then suddenly he’s leading a 3-on-2 rush or pinching at the perfect time to keep a play alive. It’s that high-level "hockey IQ" people always talk about, but with Zach, it’s more like an instinct.
Why This Season is Different
The 2025-26 season has been a weird one for the Jackets. They’re hovering around that middle-of-the-pack area, fighting for a wildcard spot, but Werenski’s individual play is at an all-time high.
- Ice Time: He’s averaging nearly 27 minutes a night. That’s essentially half the game.
- Power Play: He’s the undisputed quarterback. If the puck is on his stick at the point, the opposing goalie is sweating.
- Defense: While he’s known for offense, his pairing with Dante Fabbro has actually been surprisingly steady.
People used to knock his defensive game, saying he was "just an offensive guy." That's kinda lazy analysis. If you actually watch his gap control this year, he's frustrating the hell out of top-tier forwards. He isn't going to run you over like Erik Gudbranson, but he’ll strip the puck and be 40 feet away before you even realize you lost it.
The "Underrated" Label Needs to Die
It’s almost a cliché at this point to call a Columbus Blue Jackets hockey player underrated. But with Werenski, it actually fits.
Think about it. Last season, he put up 82 points in 82 games. For a defenseman! That should have been front-page news across every hockey site in North America. Instead, it was a "cool story for Columbus."
This year, he’s proving it wasn't a fluke. He’s already hit the 50-point mark by mid-January. He’s scoring goals at a rate that most second-line wingers would be jealous of. In a recent stretch, he put up 15 points in just 10 games. That’s just stupid production from the back end.
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The reality is that Werenski is the most important player in the history of this franchise not named Rick Nash.
He stayed.
That matters in Columbus. He signed the big contract, he embraced the city, and he’s leading through the rebuild—or "retool," or whatever the front office is calling it this week.
What Most People Get Wrong About His Game
There’s this idea that Werenski is "injury prone."
Sure, he’s had some bad luck. The shoulder, the ankle—it's hockey. It’s a violent sport. But look at his availability over the last two seasons. He’s been a workhorse. He’s been out there every single night taking the hardest matchups and the heaviest minutes.
His durability has actually become one of his strengths. He’s learned how to play "smarter" hockey to avoid some of those high-risk collisions while still being effective. It's a veteran move.
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Looking Ahead: The Bowness Era and the Playoffs
With Rick Bowness now behind the bench, the system is shifting slightly. Bowness loves a structured defense, but he’s smart enough to let a thoroughbred like Werenski run.
We saw it in his first few games—Werenski was still jumping into the play, still aggressive, but the team's overall defensive structure looked a bit tighter. If the Jackets are going to make a serious push for the playoffs this spring, they need Werenski to stay this hot.
There's also the "C" on the jersey to talk about. While Boone Jenner is the heart and soul, Werenski is the face of the future. He’s an alternate captain now, but everyone knows he’s the guy who will eventually lead this team for the next half-decade.
Actionable Insights for Blue Jackets Fans
If you're watching the Jackets for the rest of the 2026 season, keep an eye on these specific things with Werenski:
- The Zone Exits: Watch how many times he carries the puck out of the defensive zone himself versus passing it. He’s one of the best in the league at "controlled exits," which basically means he doesn't just flip the puck out and hope for the best.
- Home vs. Away Splits: His confidence at Nationwide Arena is sky-high. If you’re a betting person, his "anytime point" odds at home are almost a lock lately.
- Power Play Distribution: Notice how he manipulates the defenders at the blue line. He uses his eyes to move the box, opening up lanes for Kirill Marchenko or Adam Fantilli on the flanks.
The Blue Jackets are in a transition phase, but they have a cornerstone that most teams would kill for. Zach Werenski isn't just a great Columbus Blue Jackets hockey player; he’s one of the best in the game, period. It's time the rest of the league started acting like it.
To get the most out of following Werenski’s record-breaking season, fans should track his nightly TOI (Time On Ice) against other top blueliners like Cale Makar or Quinn Hughes. When you see he’s playing the same minutes and producing the same points in a much tougher team environment, you'll realize just how special this run actually is.