The Columbus Blue Jackets have only one player selected to the Four Nations tournament for February 2025. That player is defender Zach Werenski, being told of the selection in person by Bill Guerin before Thanksgivingper Emily Kaplan of ESPN. The first round draft selection by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft is currently in the running for the James Norris Trophy for the National Hockey League's best defenseman with Cale Makar and Quinn Hughes.
Werenski remains on pace at the time of writing for 85 points (24 goals, 61 assists) in a full 82 game season. [statline is from Elite Prospects]
This would break several Blue Jackets' records for a defenseman. If Werenski breaks his record with Seth Jones set last season, the Michigan native would become the highest scoring Jackets' defenseman in a single season with 58 points. If he his 85 points, he would be the first Blue Jackets' defenseman to ever break the 60, 70, or 80 point plateaus. 61 assists would break the assists record for defensemen for the Jackets, making him the first Jackets' defenseman to ever record 50 or 60 assists in a single season. 85 points would make him the second highest performing season by Blue Jackets' skater all time, only behind Panarin's 87 point 2018-19 season. Z is also on personal best with a GF% at 62.5.Just this season, he broke into the top five of all time Columbus scoring, knocking David Vborny out; and is four points away for eclipsing Nick Foligno at 334 career points.
Werenski sits third in the league in points for d-men and at even strength behind only the previously mentioned Hughes and Makar; and is first in goals behind with Makar. Werenski is also first in the league in minutes per game averaging 26:06. He is also one of only three defenders with over a point per game. Z and Hamilton are tied for first in shots on goal at 96; and tied for first with two game winners.
Zach Werenski, Boone Jenner, and Elvis Merzlikins may have gone through the most adversity in their tenures with the Blue Jackets between the passings of Johnny and Matthew Gaurdreau in 2024 and Mattis Kivleniks in 2021. If Werenski were to be the 2025 Norris Trophy winner, he would definitely deserve the hardware.
Werenski has carried this team and has avoided them from pure disaster this season. He deserves this award. Werenski for Norris.
Columbus Blue Jackets Blogger • 
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