The Columbus Blue Jackets suffered a tough loss to the Anaheim Ducks last night, falling 4-3 after a late game-winning goal by Ducks center Mason McTavish. But perhaps even worse than the final result was an apparent injury suffered by Zach Werenski, the Blue Jackets’ best and most important player.
Werenski blocked a shot from Anaheim’s Troy Terry with a little over two minutes left in yesterday’s game, and he needed to be helped off of the ice while in what appeared to be quite a bit of pain. After the game, Blue Jackets head coach Dean Evason did not have any update on Werenski’s status, but this morning The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline reported that “X-rays late Saturday in Anaheim confirmed” that there were “no broken bones” in Werenski’s right leg, and as a result, he is “considered day-to-day.”
It goes without saying that any longer-term loss of Werenski would have dealt a significant blow to Columbus’ hopes of staying in the Eastern Conference’s playoff race. At the moment, the Blue Jackets sit last in the conference with 34 points in 35 games, and are seven points behind the New Jersey Devils for the final wild-card spot.
Werenski is a force for the Blue Jackets, someone whose presence is felt in all aspects of the game. Last season’s Norris Trophy runner-up leads the team in scoring this season with 40 points in 35 games. His 40 points are tied with Cale Makar for the scoring lead among blueliners this year. The two are in a league of their own when it comes to offense this year. The No. 3 defenseman in terms of scoring this season, Edmonton Oilers blueliner Evan Bouchard, is seven points behind Makar and Werenski.
Werenski’s value to the Blue Jackets is more than just his scoring. He averages almost 27 minutes of ice time per game, quarterbacking the team’s efforts on the power play and playing a secondary role on the penalty kill. Werenski is No. 2 in the NHL in time on ice per game.
Columbus plays tomorrow in Los Angeles, and if Werenski can’t dress against the Kings, he’d be extremely difficult for Columbus to attempt to replace. His role on the top power play unit would likely be filled by veteran Damon Severson, who has 10 points in 35 games this season, and second-year blueliner Denton Mateychuk figures to see a bump in overall ice time in the event Werenski is sidelined.
That Werenski appears to have avoided a longer-term injury is great news for not just Columbus, but also USA Hockey. He’s expected to be one of the key defensemen on the United States’ team for the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. With the tournament now under two months away, any longer-term injury would have seriously threatened his availability for those games. Based on today’s reporting, it appears Werenski’s availability for those games is not under any threat.