Zach Werenski isn’t backing away from the idea that the Columbus Blue Jackets can get back to the playoffs. In a recent appearance on the 32 Thoughts Podcast with Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas, the defenseman laid out why he likes this team’s chances - and he pointed first to the new faces.
“I like our additions: two new guys that have won before with Nichushkin and Lomberg. That's experience you can't replicate, and you have to go through it in order to have it, and we have those guys on our team now.
"We have Bowns for a full year. I think what he did with our group last year, it was special, and I feel like having him for a full training camp, a full season, is really gonna help our group with a lot of the mistakes we made early on that really hurt us last year."
Werenski also leaned on what Columbus already has in place. He said the group has been close the last two seasons, just short of getting the job done, and believes the blend of additions and continuity gives the Blue Jackets a real shot.
"I just like our core. I think we been close the last two seasons, and we haven't gotten it done. You add a couple of guys, you have Bowns for a full season, and I just like our chances."
He made clear the roster feels more complete to him now, especially with the mix of skill, size, and edge. In his view, Columbus has enough of everything to be a tough team to play against.
"We're a good hockey team with a lot of skill. I like our size.
Guddy, Lomberg, Olivier, guys that can really fight and hit, and bring energy that way. We kind of got a mix of everything.
So, I just think we're in a good spot for it."
Werenski went even further when talking about what those kinds of players do to a lineup. He singled out Olivier, saying the difference is obvious when he’s on the ice.
"It's honestly crazy the difference you feel when you have guys like that on your team. The game just feels different when you have Ollie out there.
We missed him the last two weeks of the season he was out. It's a different game when he's on the ice.
He's so good as well, scores 16 to 18 goals a year, plays 18 minutes a night. Guys like him, you get Lomby in here, you get Guddy the way he plays, and you definitely feel different when those guys are on your team."
The conversation also turned to the open captaincy in Columbus after Boone Jenner left. Werenski said he has thought about it, but hasn’t had any real talks about the role.
He paused a few times while answering, then mentioned Coyle, Olivier, and some of the younger players as other possible choices. He added that being named captain would be an honor, but said he hasn’t spent much time on it.
"Thought about it, but No, haven't talked about. I don't know, we'll see."
Werenski’s full interview begins at the 52-minute mark.
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Blue Jackets Suddenly Have A Goalie Battle Fans Didnt Expect
The Blue Jackets are adding another veteran to their crease, bringing in Cam Talbot on a one-year contract after his recent stint with the Detroit Red Wings. For Columbus, the move gives the club a proven NHL option as it sorts through a goaltending picture that has suddenly become a lot less settled than it looked just a short time ago.
Talbot is expected to be part of the mix for the backup job, and the timing matters because the team is already dealing with uncertainty in net. Elvis Merzlikins is sidelined after shoulder surgery, leaving Columbus to sort out how the rest of the goalie depth chart fits together with Jet Greaves, Pheonix Copley and prospect Sergei Ivanov all in the picture. [Read more 🡒]