It's good to have a healthy Zach Werenski.
After missing most of last season with a separated shoulder and torn labrum, the Columbus Blue Jackets had to do without Werenski as they tried to piece together the blue line and replace his offense.
Now with Werenski healthy and back in the lineup, he's on one of his best scoring paces to start a season.
Through 28 games, Werenski has a team-leading 21 points and 20 assists to go with one goal. The goals should come, and it's odd that he only has one, but he's still been able to provide offense. Werenski's lone goal came in his second game against the Calgary Flames.
Entering Thursday's game at the Toronto Maple Leafs, Werenski has six points (all assists) in his last seven games. He set the franchise record among defensemen with four assists against the Chicago Blackhawks on Nov. 22.
Playmaking at its finest!
— Bally Sports Columbus (@BallySportsCBUS) November 23, 2023
Zach Werenski becomes the first @BlueJacketsNHL defenseman with a four-assist game, as he has helped the team build a 5-1 lead over Chicago in the second period.#CBJ pic.twitter.com/rkzKvoEgMf
Earlier this season, he passed Seth Jones for the franchise lead in assists among defensemen and now has 186 all-time. Werenski is the all-time leader among defensemen with 266 points and 80 goals.
When he suits up Thursday night, he'll tie Jack Johnson for fourth among defensemen with 445 games played. David Savard has the record with 597 games.
With 21 points in 28 games, Werenski is on pace for 61 points, which would surpass his previous career-high of 48 points in 2021-22. He had a career-best 37 assists that season in 68 games.
With 14 5v5 assists, Werenski is tied for third among all NHLers and only three off the lead per Natural Stat Trick. Werenski is putting up 1.65 total assists per 60 this season. His previous high over a full season is 0.72 in 2021-22.
Werenski leads the Blue Jackets this season with 0.75 points per game, he's tied for third with Kirill Marchenko with 70 shots on goal, and he leads the team with 24:15 ice time per game.
Defensively, Werenski has been paired with Damon Severson and Adam Boqvist, who are both injured and has now been paired with Nick Blankenburg over the past three games.
As Werenski and the Blue Jackets search for wins, their next game is in Toronto on Thursday, then they battle the New Jersey Devils at Nationwide Arena on Saturday, Dec. 16.
