It is being widely reported that the CBJ-Zach Werenski deal is done. Here are the details that are known at this minute:
Three year contract for $5M per year ($15M total).
This will leave him as an arbitration eligible restricted free agent in 2022. That is the same year that Seth Jones (UFA), Markus Nutivaara (RFA) and Scott Harrington (UFA) have contracts expiring. The year prior Savard and Murray (both UFAs) will need new contracts. The CBJ blue line could look very different over the next several years but has been stabilized as the strength of the team for the near future.
Next off-season the talk will be about RFAs Josh Anderson and PLD, not to mention both goalies.
Zach's signing seems to have solidified the Jackets roster for this season, unless something happens on the trade front or via an offer sheet, which both seem unlikely. They do have $10M in cap space to work with, but if anything happens I would expect it closer to the trade deadline for a rental player. Or for a goalie if Elvis and Korpi start to struggle.
So far the Traverse City tournament has gone well for Columbus winning both of the first two. Game 3 is this afternoon, after which I will provide some thoughts. But one name I keep hearing is Jakob Lilja. He was teammates with fellow CBJ prospect Emil Bemstrom in the Swedish Hockey League.
Thanks for reading.
Columbus Blue Jackets Blogger • 
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