All has been quiet for the Blue Jackets lately. A little too quiet if you ask me. Over the past few months I have been a big advocate for signing Zach Werenski and I believe that sentiment is shared with most CBJ fans. With training camp set to open in approximately one month both sides seem willing to play a game of chicken with that date.

Is there a hold-out in the works for Werenski and the Jackets? There have been exactly ZERO accounts of or stories of the two side working on a deal. This could be fine or it could be a disaster in the making.

One thing that does make me hopeful is the very public negotiations that happened with Ryan Johansen in 2014. You may recall he was the #1 center that Jackets fans had always desired. When his contract came up he had great numbers, but for only a short period of time. Not enough to justify a mega-contract although he showed great potential. Negotiations went a little sideways, he held out most of training camp and the relationship never recovered. He was moved to Nashville and the situation worked out well for both player and team (we love Seth!).

With Werenski we are hearing none of this. Which means one of two things. Jarmo learned his lesson and is keeping the contract dispute out of the press, or all is going well, they just haven't met on all terms yet.

Cap Situation

Sounds funny to be bringing up any 'Cap Situation' when the CBJ have $15M+ to work with. However, looking past this season, Josh Anderson, PLD and both of the current goalies will need to be signed in 2020. In addition Oliver Bjorkstrand , Ryan Murray and David Savard will be looking for new contracts in 2021 (although Dubi's contract will be off the books by then). The CBJ cannot afford to overlook the fact that they may not have a cap situation this year only to face one next season or the season after that.

My guess is that the CBJ want to sign Zach to something similar to the Jones deal ($5.4M per) and he wants more. It is likely we see some sort of bridge deal where he gets a 2-3 year contract and they do this all over again right before he becomes a UFA.

Or they are looking to trade him...

Thanks for reading.

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