Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (ankle) was activated off IR on Thursday and is expected to play against the Calgary Flames. Werenski has been out since December 27 with a high-ankle sprain, missing 10 games in that time. Before his injury, the 26-year-old blueliner was having a solid campaign, registering 25 points (one goal, 24 assists), 87 shots, and 58 blocked shots in 34 games. He will regain top pairing and first powerplay duties upon his return and should be immediately inserted into fantasy lineups. Rookie defenseman David Jiricek will return to AHL Cleveland to make room for Werenski.
Columbus Blue Jackets forward Patrik Laine (clavicle) and defenseman Zach Werenski (ankle) were both on the ice for Friday's morning skate ahead of an evening game against the visiting New Jersey Devils. Laine broke his clavicle during a Dec. 14 6-5 overtime win over the Toronto Maple Leafs and was given a six-week timeline to return. He scored his sixth goal of the season before exiting that contest and has added three assists for nine points in 18 games on the season. Werenski suffered an ankle injury during a Dec. 27 overtime loss to the Devils. He has just one goal on the season but has added 24 helpers for 25 points across 34 games. Both players remain at least a couple weeks away from returning.
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (ankle) will be sidelined for 4-6 weeks. Werenski was injured on Wednesday against New Jersey and now faces an extended absence. He has exited the lineup with 25 points (one goal, 24 assists) in 34 games. Werenski is tied for the team lead in points and sits at the top of the pile in assists, so losing him is a massive blow for Columbus. Ivan Provorov has replaced Werenski on the first power-play unit, which provides a good boost to his fantasy stock.
Zach Werenski Exits Early Due To Lower-Body Injury
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (lower body) left Wednesday's game against the New Jersey Devils early with what appeared to be a knee injury. He couldn't put any weight on his leg as he left, signifying the injury has a chance to be significant. An update should come tomorrow from the Jackets. It would be a devastating blow to both Columbus and fantasy managers if Werenski were to miss some time, as the blueliner has been very solid this season, posting 25 points (one goal, 24 assists) in 33 games. He has also added 87 shots and 56 blocks to round out his stat line. He should be held through his injury in all fantasy leagues, provided it isn't season-ending.
Zach Werenski Makes Blue Jackets History With Four Assists
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski had a historic outing against Chicago on Wednesday, finishing a 7-3 victory as the first Columbus blue-liner with four assists in a single game. He had one helper with the man advantage and closed out the game with an outstanding plus-five rating. This was a much-needed victory for the Blue Jackets, who had dropped nine consecutive games. It's been a massive struggle for the team, but Werenski has found ways to stay productive in the attack, logging 10 points in 11 November outings. For the season overall, he's managed 15 points (one goal, 14 assists) in 18 games.
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (quadriceps) is trending toward playing Friday. Werenski got injured on opening night and hasn't played since, but he has been practicing this week and will be a game-time decision on Friday night against the Calgary Flames. The 26-year-old is plenty productive when he is healthy, posting 245 points in 417 career NHL games. The problem is that pesky health, as he has been limited to 68 games and 13 games the past two seasons. Hopefully, he can put his injury woes behind him and return to form as one of the better offensive defensemen in the league.
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (quadriceps) hopes to jump back into the lineup Friday versus Calgary. The Blue Jackets lost their No. 1 defenseman in their season opener last week, and he's been sidelined for two games, but Werenski was back in practice on Wednesday, which is a good sign regarding his potential return. Adam Boqvist has been skating in Werenski's spot during his absence and could be heading to the press box if he returns on Friday.
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (quadriceps) has been ruled out for 1-2 weeks. He suffered a quadriceps contusion in Thursday's season opener against Philadelphia, and Werenski will miss a minimum of three games, having landed on Injured Reserve on Friday. Adam Boqvist, who was a healthy scratch versus the Flyers, practiced in Werenski's spot on Friday, while the team has also summoned David Jiricek from the minors.
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (quadriceps) isn't expected to be out for long after being forced to make an early exit in the team's season opener Thursday. Werenski logged 13:43 of ice time before leaving. The talented blue-liner was involved in a knee-on-knee collision with Philadelphia forward Garnet Hathaway, but luckily, Werenski escaped serious injury, and it was announced that he only suffered a quadriceps contusion. Werenski was limited to only 13 appearances last season and should be very eager to make a quick recovery. Columbus returns to action Saturday against the Rangers.
Zach Werenski Fully Healed And Raring To Go Ahead Of Season
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski is fully healed from shoulder surgery and very excited to start life under new head coach Mike Babcock. "My shoulder's all good, pretty much full go since summer hit, so it's good to have a full summer (of training) under my belt," Werenski said on Tuesday. The 26-year-old got injured early on last term and underwent season-ending surgery for a torn labrum and separated shoulder after playing in just 13 games. He returns to action with a new man in charge of the team and Werenski can't wait to get started under Babcock following a face-to-face meeting. "I got to know him a little bit, and you know, I left impressed," Werenski said. "That kind of fired me up. I think from that point on I just want to get to training camp to get the season going." Werenski has totaled 245 points (79 goals, 166 assists) in 416 career games, and he could be set for a big campaign if he can finally stay clear of injuries. The talented blue-liner hasn't even hit 70 games in four consecutive seasons.
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (shoulder) will likely be out for the rest of the 2022-23 regular season. He suffered a separated shoulder and torn labrum in Thursday's win over Philadelphia. Werenski managed three goals and five assists in 13 games this season, averaging 23:35 ice time per game. He's a major piece for the Blue Jackets at both ends of the ice, and unfortunately Werenski hasn't been able to avoid a significant injury for several seasons now. Vladislav Gavrikov and Jake Bean are set to benefit from Wersenski's absence, while Adam Boqvist (foot) could be looking at a very big role on the power play once he's eventually ready to return to action.
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski suffered an upper-body injury in Thursday's win over Philadelphia and looks set to miss significant time. The team hasn't yet provided a specific timeline, but head coach Brad Larsen has said that Werenski is "not good at all". He was hurt in the opening period when Travis Konecny dodged a hit from Werenski and the Columbus man crashed into the boards with his right side. Werenski managed to grab a goal and an assist in 6:03 of action before exiting. Erik Gudbranson also left with an upper-body problem, so Larsen likely has to make a lot of maneuvering at the back for Saturday's meeting with the Islanders. Vladislav Gavrikov had some good success last season when he filled in for Werenseki on the first defensive pairing, and it looks likely that Jake Bean will move up from the second power-play unit to the first.
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (nose) will sit out the team's final games of the season. The talented blue-liner returned from an upper-body problem in Tuesday's 4-1 loss to Tampa but suffered a broken nose and it doesn't make sense for the team to keep him in the lineup with the season basically over for the Blue Jackets. Werenski finishes his sixth year in the league with a career-high 48 points in 68 games. He also kept himself busy on the defensive end with 95 blocks, but his minus-15 rating will be something he can't be satisfied with. Columbus has announced that Nick Blankenburg (upper body) will also miss the final two games, so we should see a lot of Vladislav Gavrikov and Andrew Peeke again.
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (upper body) will miss Tuesday's game against San Jose. He was injured over the weekend against the Ducks and hasn't recovered quickly enough to be ready for Tuesday's matchup. Werenski has had a poor month offensively, but he's enjoyed a solid campaign overall with 11 goals and 47 points in 67 outings. Jake Bean will skate with Andrew Peeke on Tuesday, while Nick Blankenburg will be lifted into a bigger role. The 23-year-old has notched one point in his first three NHL appearances after signing a one-year, entry-level contract with Columbus earlier in the month.
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (upper body) will be back in action on Monday against Boston. The two-time All-Star missed the whole of last week and three games in total. He'll rejoin Andrew Peeke on the top defensive pairing, meaning Vladislav Gavrikov has to settle for a lesser role. Werenski has collected 42 points in 60 games this season, and his run of form prior to his injury was very impressive as he tallied 17 points in 17 games. Fantasy managers should make sure that Werenski is back in their lineups.
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (upper body) has been ruled out for the rest of the week. He was sidelined for Tuesday's 4-3 loss against the Islanders and will miss two more games, a rematch with the Islanders on Thursday and a trip to Boston on Saturday. The duo of Vladislav Gavrikov and Andrew Peeke saw a lot of action on Tuesday and it appears that they are set for a busy week. The former scored twice in Tuesday's loss, and he could be an interesting short-term pickup for his all-around ability. Gavrikov has notched 29 points across 65 outings this season with 106 hits and 115 blocks.
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (upper body) is sidelined for Tuesday's action against the Islanders. He got hurt early in Saturday's 3-2 overtime loss to Minnesota and hasn't been practicing with the team Werenski is currently considered day-to-day. Columbus loses its highest-scoring defenseman and a guy who averages 25:56 of ice time. He'll be replaced in the lineup by Adam Boqvist, who has only just returned from an upper-body injury himself. He's notched 20 points in 41 appearances this season, and we should see plenty of the Swede on Tuesday, with Boqvist slated to skate on the top defensive pairing and the first power-play unit.
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski wasn't able to complete Saturday's road contest against Minnesota because he picked up an upper-body injury. He soaked in just 6:22 of action and left near the end of the first period following a collision with Wild blue-liner Jacob Middleton. The team didn't have an update on his status postgame. Werenski is going to be a huge miss for Columbus if he has suffered a serious injury. He's among the team's top scorers with 42 points and averages close to 26 minutes of playing time each night. The Blue Jackets return to action on Tuesday against the Islanders.
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (upper body) will return to the lineup on Friday against the Kings. He's back after a four-game absence and will look to keep up his recent good form. Werenski put together a six-game point streak before dropping out of the lineup. He's on 33 points overall for the season in 48 games, averaging over 26 minutes a night. The 24-year-old is a key piece for Columbus, and fantasy managers should make sure that he's active for Friday's action. Winger Yegor Chinakhov also returns after being a healthy scratch for a couple of games. He's replacing Brendan Gaunce (upper body) in the lineup.
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski will be back on the ice on Saturday against New Jersey after missing two games because of COVID-19 protocols. The Blue Jackets get a huge piece back, as Werenski is averaging a team-high 26:34 of ice times and is tied for the third spot in scoring with 20 points across 30 outings. The 24-year-old has notched six goals with 92 shots and also boasts 41 blocks with a minus-two rating. The Devils are among the weakest defensive teams in the league, so this could be a big comeback game for Werenski.