The Columbus Blue Jackets appear to be inching towards agreeing on a new contract with restricted free agent (RFA) Zach Werenski.
Werenski's agent, Pat Brisson, told the Columbus Dispatch "I have been in communication with the (organization) throughout the summer. It's our intention to have an agreement in time for camp. I'm most certain we will be continuing our talks in the near future."
#CBJ GM Jarmo Kekalainen: We want to give him a fair contract and continue. Were not the least bit worried.
— Brian Hedger (@BrianHedger) August 14, 2019
Agent Pat Brisson: Its our intention to have an agreement in time for camp.
The latest on RFA D Zach Werenski plus Bill Zito staying put.https://t.co/xqxhaaXafv
With preseason camp about a month away, this is certainly welcome news. Losing Werenski for any period of time would be salt in the wound for a franchise that has already seen plenty of talent walk out the door - permanently - this summer.
Werenski, 22, tallied 11-33-44 in 82 regular-season games last season and added 1-5-6 in 10 Stanley Cup Playoff games. He's an established player, and he's hardly the only high-profile RFA remaining in the NHL.
From NHL.com:
Among them are forwards Mitchell Marner (Toronto Maple Leafs), Brayden Point (Lightning), Mikko Rantanen (Colorado Avalanche), Patrik Laine (Winnipeg Jets), Matthew Tkachuk (Calgary Flames), Brock Boeser (Vancouver Canucks), and defensemen Charlie McAvoy (Boston Bruins) and Ivan Provorov (Philadelphia Flyers).
