As the 2017-18 season went on, it became increasingly obvious that Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski was playing through some kind of an injury. In spite of those limitations, he was able to lead the team in many categories. It is a testament to what Werenski is as a player.
After the season, Werenski underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder. That's no walk in the park, though, and the road to recovery is a long one, but he's eyeing a return to the lineup early in the season.
"My goal, ultimately, is to be there for Game 1," Werenski told BlueJackets.com. "You never want to miss time, you never want to miss games, so my goal going into training camp and into the season is to be ready for Game 1.
"If it's later, like Game 5 or Game 10, whenever that is, I'm going to work to miss as few games as possible and be ready to help the team."
Werenski's potential is among the highest of any defenseman in the league, and the fact that he was able to play at a very high level despite a serious injury should tantalize Blue Jackets fans when imagining what he'll look like at full health.
"I'm not going to say it was a step back for myself last year, because I learned a lot more in my second year [in the NHL]," he said. "It gave me a whole new confidence to what I can do as a player when I'm 100 percent. I scored 16 goals and had a career-high in ice time, so it just gives me an exciting feeling knowing that I'm going to be 100 percent this year and hopefully, knock on wood, make it through a full season that way. I'm excited. I did everything I did last year with a torn labrum and it's going to be good to get back to 100 percent and play like I can."
Given the physicality of NHL hockey, it'll be a bit nerve-racking seeing Werenski retrieve a puck in the corner with a forward bearing down on his surgically-repaired shoulder. Still, Werenski is already taking shots and working out on the ice. That's an encouraging sign.
"Oh, I'm firing the puck," Werenski said. "I'm doing everything out there except taking contact. I'm taking one-timers, slapshots, backhands … I'm going through full practices. I haven't felt it one time, knock on wood. I've felt good on the ice - better than expected and a little better than [doctors and athletic trainers] expected too."
More encouraging yet is his claim that his shot has actually gotten better than before during his recovery.
"I think my shot's actually gotten better since last year and I've only been on the ice a few times," he said. "I'm excited."
If Werenski's shot is even better than before the NHL is going to be on notice. Werenski is already a top player and any improvement is a cherry on top.
