The Columbus Blue Jackets have by no means had a defenseman named as a finalist, not to mention win the James Norris Memorial Trophy.
With a robust begin to the season, not solely offensively however in all elements of his sport, Zach Werenski is rapidly catapulting himself into that dialog. If he continues taking part in like he has, Werenski can turn into the primary Blue Jacket to win the honour. However how sustainable is his begin?
Werenski’s Offensive Manufacturing
Werenski has at all times discovered methods to contribute offensively for the Blue Jackets. Final season, he set a career-high in factors with 57 in 70 video games. This season although, he’s merely been on a special stage. By way of the primary 22 video games, he’s scored eight objectives and posted a complete of 24 factors.
If Werenski continues at this similar tempo, he’ll turn into solely the second defenseman for the reason that flip of the century to have a 30-goal season. Mike Inexperienced is the newest blueliner to perform the feat, scoring 31 objectives in 68 video games for the Washington Capitals in the course of the 2008-09 season. It’s onerous to think about that Werenski retains up that tempo, but it surely’s actually attainable. He set his present career-high in objectives in the course of the 2019-20 season with 20 in 63 video games.
Now that we’ve talked about goal-scoring, let’s talk about Werenski’s level totals as an entire. He’s at present on tempo for 90 factors, which might be two factors lower than Quinn Hughes had when he received the Norris final season. Though his career-high for factors is at present 57, Werenski has struggled to play full seasons for the Blue Jackets which regularly makes his numbers decrease than they need to be. He’s solely performed a full 82-game season as soon as, which was in 2018-19. In his different seven NHL seasons, Werenski has averaged roughly 57 video games per season. Accidents have plagued him over the course of his profession. If he needs to stroll away with the elite level totals he’s proven that he’s able to, he’ll want to stay wholesome which is less complicated mentioned than performed.
Werenski’s Defensive Duty
Though evidently offensive manufacturing is the most important indicator of who will win the Norris Trophy, it appears redundant to say that the most important duty of any defenseman is just to defend. Werenski has solely been on the ice for 14 objectives towards up to now this season, which is phenomenal for a participant who’s averaging about 26 minutes of ice time per sport.
In line with Pure Stat Trick, the Blue Jackets’ opponents have had 185 scoring probabilities with Werenski on the ice, 92 of which have been thought of high-danger probabilities. This season, the Blue Jackets’ goaltenders have struggled mightily, nonetheless, that hasn’t been the case with Werenski on the ice. His on-ice save proportion at present sits at 93.17%, which means his goaltenders are making fairly a couple of saves when he’s defending. In the meantime, Elvis Merzlikins and Daniil Tarasov’s mixed general save proportion comes out to .881. They’re basically making 5% extra saves with Werenski on the ice, which exhibits the affect he’s making for the Blue Jackets.
Whereas followers have actually praised Werenski just lately, he has additionally commonly earned reward from new head coach Dean Evason this season:
“I’ve seen a whole lot of hockey gamers. I don’t assume I’ve seen one like him. He’s wonderful.” #CBJ coach Dean Evason on Zach Werenski.
— Dave Maetzold (@DMaetzMedia) November 22, 2024
As his Gordie Howe hat trick towards the Montreal Canadiens confirmed, Werenski is taking part in a whole sport this season for the Blue Jackets. If he can keep wholesome and his stage of play doesn’t dip, it’s troublesome to think about he doesn’t turn into not less than the primary Norris Trophy finalist in Blue Jackets historical past.
Associated: Blue Jackets Acknowledge Concern With Their Objectives In opposition to
With that being mentioned, even when Werenski’s offensive numbers don’t eclipse these of Quinn Hughes and Cale Makar, his all-around play this season may elevate him within the eyes of the voters. It’ll be troublesome for him to stroll away with the trophy given the heavy competitors on the high of the league, but it surely’s protected to say that Werenski has entered the dialog.
