Zach Werenski burst onto the scene last year as an NHL rookie, accumulating 11 goals and 47 points capped off by a Calder Trophy nomination.
Along with partner Seth Jones, Werenski gave the Blue Jackets perhaps the first true No. 1 defense pairing in franchise history. He was the conductor of a Blue Jackets power play orchestra that was in perfect harmony during November and December, ascending quickly to the league's best conversion rate.
And just like the Blue Jackets' power play efficiency, Werenski confessed to getting worn down in the later parts of the season during media day Wednesday. It's something he hopes to avoid in his sophomore campaign.
"I think games 50 to 60, 63, were pretty tough for me, just trying to find that energy, to try and find that motivation," Werenski said.
Werenski said one of his offseason training objectives was to improve not only his stamina physically, but also emotionally.
"The one thing Torts kept telling me is: you're not tired, it's a mentality," Werenski said. "I talked to [Blue Jackets assistant] Brad Larsen about this the other day and he said, 'If you were playing for a Stanley Cup tonight, could you find energy for it?' And I thought that was really cool, how he kind of put it that way.
"I'm gonna have to just find that energy throughout the year and make sure I bring my best every night."
Werenski's season was cut short after a gruesome facial injury in Game 3 against the Pittsburgh Penguins. He hopes to use the preseason as a way to get readjusted and regain his confidence.
"It'll be nice to get that competitive nature back, and get that competitive edge," he said.
Columbus will need a return to early-2016 form from Werenski and his defensive unit to get the Blue Jackets off to a strong start. The defense played well off Sergei Bobrovsky a year ago (and the goaltender's play certainly helped), which is something they'd like to resume once the puck drops on 2017-18.
Werenski is confident they can get the job done.
"We know we have a good team in the locker room, we just have to go out there and show it," Werenski said. "I think the fans should be really excited about it."
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