Zach Werenski will stay in Columbus: Defenseman, GM release statements

Zach Werenski will stay in Columbus: Defenseman, GM release statements Zach Werenski and the Blue Jackets have discussed things and the Norris Trophy winner will be staying in Columbus.

The defenseman and Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell released statements on Wednesday, July 1, explaining the situation on the opening day of NHL free agency.

The day had started with a report that Werenski had vetoed a trade to the Dallas Stars.

Werenski who has two more seasons left on his contract, won a gold medal with the USA at the Olympics last season and was voted the NHL's top defenseman for the first time in his career.

But the Blue Jackets missed the playoffs for the sixth season in a row.

Here are the statements by Waddell and Werenski explaining what happened: Statement from Don Waddell "Earlier this spring, Zach and I met and talked about his future with the Blue Jackets beyond his current contract and he indicated that he wasnt sure what the future would hold with regards to staying with the club or possibly moving on.

During those discussions, we talked about me exploring opportunities to move him now and we all agreed if there was a deal to be made that I would bring it to him.

"We found something that would work for the club and took it to him.

After some time and discussions with his family, Zach informed us that he didnt want to leave Columbus.

He has invested a great deal in this organization and after coming close and falling short the past two seasons, his desire is to win here and get this team back into the playoffs.

"The past two seasons have been very challenging ones, but also ones of growth for our team.

Our goals from ownership on down and Zachs goals are the same..

to win now, return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs and win a Stanley Cup.

Our city and fans deserve nothing less and we are all on the same page working towards that end.

Zach has been a very important part of this organization and our community for a long time, and we couldnt be happier that he will continue to be moving forward." Statement from Zach Werenski "Don and I have had very open and honest dialogue since the season ended.

Ideally, this wouldnt have become such a public thing but that is the world we live in now and everything got blown out of proportion in my opinion.

I want to win and I want to do that in Columbus.

As Ive thought about things and discussed everything with my wife and family, we want to be in Columbus.

It has been my home for the past 10 years and I have always been proud to be a Blue Jacket.

We have the best fans in the NHL.

I love my teammates and coaches and Im looking forward to doing everything I can to get us back in the playoffs to compete for a Stanley Cup.

Don and I are completely aligned on that and are excited about whats to come with our team.".