Zach
Werenski
D · CBJ · Offensive · Elite
- PAL
- 98
- WAR
- 4.6
- Value
- 98
- PTS
- 81
2025-26№ 1 / 325
Zach Werenski (Columbus Blue Jackets) stats and profile: offensive production, ice time, advanced stats, WAR and PAL rating.
Zach Werenski
HEIGHT : 188 cm · WEIGHT : 98 kg · SHOOTS : L
Born : July 18, 1997 · Grosse Pointe, United States
Drafted : 2015 · CBJ · round 1, pick #8
Contract : $9,583,333 · 2022-23 → 2027-28 · Standard Contract · UFA · Signing bonus $2,000,000NMC / M-NTC
NHL record
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | Columbus Blue Jackets | 15 | 2 | 12 | 14 | 0 |
| 2025-26 | Columbus Blue Jackets | 75 | 22 | 59 | 81 | 18 |
| 2024-25 | Columbus Blue Jackets | 81 | 23 | 59 | 82 | 31 |
| 2023-24 | Columbus Blue Jackets | 70 | 11 | 46 | 57 | 22 |
| 2022-23 | Columbus Blue Jackets | 13 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 0 |
| 2021-22 | Columbus Blue Jackets | 68 | 11 | 37 | 48 | 22 |
| 2020-21 | Columbus Blue Jackets | 35 | 7 | 13 | 20 | 13 |
| 2019-20 | Columbus Blue Jackets | 63 | 20 | 21 | 41 | 10 |
| 2018-19 | Columbus Blue Jackets | 82 | 11 | 33 | 44 | 18 |
| 2017-18 | Columbus Blue Jackets | 77 | 16 | 21 | 37 | 16 |
| 2016-17 | Columbus Blue Jackets | 78 | 11 | 36 | 47 | 14 |
| NHL totals | 657 | 137 | 342 | 479 | 164 | |
Playoffs
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | Columbus Blue Jackets | 10 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| 2018-19 | Columbus Blue Jackets | 10 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 9 |
| 2017-18 | Columbus Blue Jackets | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| 2016-17 | Columbus Blue Jackets | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Playoff totals | 29 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 15 | |
Honours
- 🏆 James Norris Memorial Trophyonce · 2025-26
Zach Werenski: our analysis
2025-26 season: 75 GP, 22 G, 59 A, 81 PTS, +7 +/-, 26:37 TOI. WAR 4.6 (1st of 325) · PAL 98, elite.
In 2025-26, Zach Werenski, 29, posts a PAL Rating of 98 out of 100 (elite), and his WAR of 4.6 ranks 1st among 325 regulars, among the league's elite.
His strengths: offense (98, among the best in the league), creation (98, among the best in the league) and shooting (98, among the best in the league). On the other hand, penalty kill (13, among the weakest in the league) holds him back.
Breaking down his WAR (goals above average), his biggest contribution: EV offense (+11.6); his biggest cost: penalty kill (-0.2).
A season in line with 2024-25 (PAL of 98); his WAR went from 2.7 to 4.6.
Contract-wise, his Value score of 98 (exceptional value) weighs his output against what he costs: 50 is what that salary should buy.
Zach Werenski's story
Growing up around Grosse Pointe, Michigan, Zach Werenski moved quickly through youth hockey, appearing in the Quebec pee-wee tournament with Detroit Belle Tire and later joining the USA Hockey National Team Development Program where his offensive instincts from the blue line stood out.
His college year at the University of Michigan confirmed those tendencies: Werenski emerged as one of the Big Ten's top scoring defensemen and earned major conference honours before turning pro. Columbus selected him eighth overall in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft; he signed an entry-level deal in 2016 and began his professional career with an AHL tryout in Lake Erie.
Werenski made an immediate impact in the pro ranks, scoring in overtime early in his AHL stint and playing a key role in Lake Erie's 2016 Calder Cup run. He debuted in the NHL later that year and was a Calder Trophy finalist as a rookie. Across subsequent seasons he became a fixture on Columbus’ blue line, earning All-Star invitations, playing through injuries at times, and signing contract extensions that reflected his growing importance to the club.
Contractually secure after a six-year extension in July 2021, Werenski also produced at a high level offensively: a December 2019 hat-trick, leading NHL defensemen in goals that shortened season, and then franchise single-season marks for a Blue Jackets defenseman in goals, assists and points in 2024–25 and 2025–26, culminated by winning the James Norris Memorial Trophy in 2026.
Internationally he has been a regular for the United States: gold at the 2014 U17 tournament, appearances at the 2015 and 2016 World Junior Championships (team captain and bronze medallist in 2016, plus tournament top defenseman), a standout role at the 2025 World Championship where he was named the event's best defenseman as the U.S. won gold, and a key assist in overtime at the 2026 Winter Olympics on the game-winner that secured Olympic gold. Werenski's game mixes mobility, a willingness to join the rush and playmaking ability from the back end.
Facts drawn from Wikipédia, told in our own words.
Advanced stats
- TOI/GP
- 28:18
- PP TOI/GP
- 3:39
- SH TOI/GP
- 2:13
- Pts/GP
- 0.93
- EV points
- 10
- Hits
- 8
- Blocks
- 34
- Takeaways
- 6
- Corsi % (SAT)
- 49.4 %
- Off. zone starts
- 39.3 %
Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)
2026-27 projection
Projected points
79between 54 and 96 (80% range)
- Goals
- 19
- Assists
- 60
- Games
- 79
So far: 14 pts in 15 games. The team has played 15 of 84 games. Projected pace: 1.02 pts per game (last season: 1.08).
Three straight seasons of growth. Since 2018, of 97 players in that spot, 23 kept improving the next season; on average, their pace fell back to 90% of their best season.
The projection follows last season's pace. Tested on 2,265 player seasons (2022-23 to 2025-26): average miss of 9 points over 82 games; for players at 0.9 points per game and up, it ran 5 points high on average.
Trend
Slightly up
- Points per game: 0.81 in 23-24, 1.08 in 25-26
- PAL Rating: 98 → 98
Outlook, age included
↗ Slightly upAge 29: prime years
This is only a projection. It knows nothing about injuries, trades or role changes; one player in five finishes outside the range.
Player ratings, 2025-26
All ratings →Fourteen ratings from 0 to 100 drawn from data, never by hand: 75 = established NHL player, 95+ = elite.
OV · OverallConfidence 85 %
92
Star
- SK
- Skating
- 92
- Confidence 73 %
- ST
- Strength
- 68
- Confidence 88 %
- EN
- Endurance
- 97
- Confidence 75 %
- DU
- Durability
- 76
- Confidence 77 %
- CK
- Checking
- 54
- Confidence 88 %
- FG
- Fighting
- 74
- Confidence 59 %
- DI
- Discipline
- 86
- Confidence 88 %
- FO
- Faceoffs
- —
- PA
- Passing
- 94
- Confidence 85 %
- SC
- Scoring
- 95
- Confidence 85 %
- DF
- Defense
- 71
- Confidence 83 %
- PS
- Penalty shot
- 83
- Confidence 14 %
- EX
- Experience
- 83
- Confidence 100 %
Why these ratings?Hide details
SK — Skating92
- Top speed (35 %)36.8 · 92
- Bursts > 20 mph /60 (30 %)3.75 · 89
- Distance /60 (20 %)14.7 · 85
- Speed consistency (15 %)35.8 · 92
ST — Strength68
- Contact absorbed /60 (50 %)3.325 · 60
- Body mass (50 %)0.807 · 81
EN — Endurance97
- Ice time per game (45 %)24 · 97
- Total ice time (20 %)1,930 · 93
- Shift length (15 %)57.9 · 97
- Lowest recent ice time per game (15 %)21.9 · 92
- Special-teams time per game (5 %)3.834 · 88
DU — Durability76
- Share of games played (100 %)0.82 · 76
CK — Checking54
- Hits /60 (70 %)1.199 · 46
- Lowest seasonal rate (20 %)1.068 · 56
- Season volume (10 %)3.434 · 68
FG — Fighting74
- Fights per 82 games (100 %)0.805 · 74
DI — Discipline86
- Net penalty value /60 (50 %)-0.007 · 86
- Penalties taken /60 (30 %)0.364 · 89
- Penalties drawn /60 (20 %)0.324 · 68
PA — Passing94
- Primary assists /60 (40 %)0.804 · 93
- Secondary assists /60 (20 %)0.83 · 92
- Offensive creation (RAPM) (20 %)0.311 · 95
- Power-play points /60 (10 %)5.366 · 89
- Assist consistency (10 %)0.61 · 92
SC — Scoring95
- Goals /60 (25 %)0.572 · 95
- Individual xG /60 (20 %)0.465 · 97
- Finishing (goals − xG per shot) (20 %)0.64 · 87
- High-danger chances /60 (15 %)0.301 · 93
- xG per shot (10 %)0.039 · 90
- Shot attempts /60 (10 %)16.8 · 96
DF — Defense71
- RAPM defense /60 (35 %)0.011 · 73
- Relative xG against (20 %)-0.049 · 78
- On-ice xG against /60 (15 %)2.731 · 67
- Penalty kill /60 (10 %)-0.061 · 68
- Takeaways − giveaways /60 (10 %)-2.06 · 73
- Shot attempts against /60 (5 %)62.5 · 45
- Blocked shots /60 (5 %)3.642 · 62
PS — Penalty shot83
- Shootouts (60 %)34.4 · 88
- Penalty shots (40 %)25.4 · 57
EX — Experience83
- Career regular-season games (65 %)91
- Career playoff games (25 %)64
- NHL seasons (10 %)81
OV — Overall92
- DF · Defense (30 %)71
- PA · Passing (22 %)94
- SK · Skating (12 %)92
- SC · Scoring (12 %)95
- EN · Endurance (9 %)97
- ST · Strength (6 %)68
- DI · Discipline (5 %)86
- CK · Checking (4 %)54
| Season | OV | SK | SC | DF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 92 | 92 | 95 | 71 |
| 2024-25 | 92 | 93 | 96 | 67 |
| 2023-24 | 82 | 88 | 90 | 62 |
| 2022-23 | 86 | 79 | 85 | 84 |
The bars show confidence (sample size), not player quality. — : not enough data, not a zero. Engine version 1.0.
WAR and PAL ratings, 2025-26
How we rate →PAL Rating scores performance from 0 to 100 against players at the same position (50 = average player), starting from the player's strength, offensive or defensive. Value Rating compares that performance with what the player costs: 50 means paid what the play is worth.
WAR
4.6
wins above replacement
1 of 325
PAL Rating
98/ 100
Performance · Elite
4 of 250 at the position
Value Rating
98/ 100
Exceptional value
9.58 M$ · expected PAL 74
ProfileOffensiveValue comes mostly from offense
- Offense
- 98
- Defense
- 61
See full detailsHide details
- Offense
- 98
- Creation
- 98
- Shooting
- 98
- Possession
- 94
- Defense
- 53
- Discipline
- 83
- Power play
- 92
- Penalty kill
- 13
From 0 to 100; 50 is the average player at the same position, adjusted for ice time.
| Season | Team | WAR | PAL | Value | Cap hit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | CBJ | 4.6 | 98 | 98 | 9.58 M$ |
| 2024-25 | CBJ | 2.7 | 98 | 99 | 9.58 M$ |
| 2023-24 | CBJ | 0.1 | 86 | 62 | 9.58 M$ |
| 2022-23 | CBJ | 0.4 | 90 | 76 | 9.58 M$ |
Hockey IQ, 2025-26
Rankings and method →The quality of the player's decisions with and against the puck at 5-on-5, against regulars at the same position (50 = average). PAL measures output; IQ measures how the player plays.
Overall IQ
95/ 100
Elite
better than 95% of defensemen, offense and defense combined
Offensive IQ
85/ 100
Very good
passing, shots, puck
Defensive IQ
96/ 100
Elite
takeaways, discipline, own zone
Overall IQ isn't an average of the two scores: it's the player's rank with offense and defense combined, 11 of 225 defensemen.
See full detailsHide details
Offense
- Playmaking passes
- 85
- Shot selection
- 81
- Penalties drawn
- 57
- Puck management
- 60
Defense
- Takeaways
- 77
- Discipline
- 90
- Safe zone exits
- 94
Percentiles: 80 means better than 80% of regulars at the same position. Play without the puck (positioning, coverage) isn't measured: the NHL doesn't publish that data.
| Season | Team | IQ | Off. | Def. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | CBJ | 95 | 85 | 96 |
| 2024-25 | CBJ | 99 | 99 | 98 |
| 2023-24 | CBJ | 97 | 84 | 99 |
| 2022-23 | CBJ | 96 | 41 | 100 |
WAR, 2025-26
How it's calculated →Wins added to the team, compared with a replacement-level player called up from the AHL.
4.6
wins above replacement
3.1 to 7.2 — 90% interval
1 of 325 defensemen
+24.1 goals above replacement
Full leaderboard →See full detailsHide details
- EV offense
- +11.6
- EV defense
- +1.5
- Power play
- -0.1
- Penalty kill
- -0.2
- Shooting
- +6.7
- Penalties
- +0.5
- Average → replacement
- +4.1
In goals.
| Season | Team | GP | WAR | 90% interval | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | CBJ | 75 | 4.6 | 3.1 to 7.2 | 1/325 |
| 2024-25 | CBJ | 77 | 2.7 | 1.0 to 4.5 | 6/314 |
| 2023-24 | CBJ | 70 | 0.1 | -1.0 to 1.2 | 140/316 |
| 2022-23 | CBJ | 13 | 0.4 | -0.1 to 0.9 | 95/334 |
Player tracking (NHL EDGE)
League EDGE leaderboards →Speed, shot power, distance covered, time by zone: measured by chips in the puck and shoulder pads. 90th percentile = better than 90% of players.
- Hardest shot
- 143.2 km/h58th percentileleague avg. 139.7 km/h
- Top skating speed
- 35.7 km/h87th percentileleague avg. 34.0 km/h
- Bursts over 20 mph, season
- 1169th percentileleague avg. 8
- Offensive zone time
- 43.5 %79th percentileleague avg. 42.4 %
See full detailsHide details
- Total distance, season
- 99.4 km96th percentileleague avg. 56.1 km
- Distance, single-game high
- 7.76 km99th percentileleague avg. 4.98 km
- Offensive zone at 5v5
- 42.5 %59th percentileleague avg. 42.8 %
- Neutral zone time
- 17.9 %38th percentileleague avg. 16.9 %
- Defensive zone time
- 38.6 %75th percentileleague avg. 40.8 %
Shooting
| Shots on goal | Goals | Shooting % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All | 4497th percentile | 287th percentile | 4.6 %45th percentile |
| High danger | 498th percentile | 084th percentile | 0.0 %60th percentile |
| Mid range | 1598th percentile | 190th percentile | 6.7 %51st percentile |
| Long range | 1691st percentile | 195th percentile | 6.3 %77th percentile |
Shots on goal by zone
2026-2027 regular season. Measured by puck and player tracking chips; the percentile ranks the player within the league.
Game log, 2026-27
🔥 6-game point streak
BUF
DAL
COL
CAR
PHI
VGK
TOR
MIN
NYR
FLA
STL
PIT
UTAZach Werenski: frequently asked questions
How many goals does Zach Werenski have in 2026-27?
Zach Werenski has 2 goals and 14 points (12 assists) in 15 games in 2026-27.
How old is Zach Werenski?
Zach Werenski is 29 years old: he was born on July 19, 1997.
How tall is Zach Werenski, and how much does he weigh?
Zach Werenski is 6'2" (188 cm) and weighs 216 lb (98 kg).
Where is Zach Werenski from?
United States: Zach Werenski was born in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, United States.
What team does Zach Werenski play for?
Zach Werenski plays for the Columbus Blue Jackets in the NHL, at D, wearing number 8.
Is Zach Werenski injured?
No: Zach Werenski is not on the latest NHL injury report. This answer is updated throughout the season.
How good is Zach Werenski?
Zach Werenski produced 4.6 wins above replacement (WAR) in 2025-26, 1st of 325 players at his position in the NHL. His PAL rating is 98 out of 100: elite for his position.
How much does Zach Werenski make?
Zach Werenski earns $9.6M for the 2025-26 season. His Value Rating is 98 out of 100 (exceptional value): it measures the on-field return for that salary, compared with players at his position.
When does Zach Werenski's contract end?
Zach Werenski's contract runs through the 2027-28 season; he will then be an unrestricted free agent. It includes a NMC / M-NTC clause.
Is Zach Werenski overpaid?
No, he gives more than he costs. His Value rating is 98 out of 100 (exceptional value), where 50 is the output expected for his salary, compared with players at his position.
Is Zach Werenski a top-10 player at his position?
Yes: by WAR, he ranks 1st of 325 players at his position in the NHL in 2025-26. Our comparison tool puts him side by side with any other player.
Is Zach Werenski getting better?
He is holding steady: his PAL rating went from 98 in 2024-25 to 98 in 2025-26 (out of 100, 50 = average player at his position).
How has Zach Werenski played lately?
Over his last 10 games, Zach Werenski has 10 points (2 goals, 8 assists).
What are Zach Werenski's career stats?
Over his NHL career, Zach Werenski has 657 games, 137 goals, 342 assists and 479 points. His best season: 2024-25, with 82 points in 81 games.
Where was Zach Werenski drafted?
Zach Werenski was drafted 8th overall (round 1) by Columbus Blue Jackets in 2015.
Is Zach Werenski better at home or on the road?
On the road: in 2026-27, he averages 0.78 points per game at home (7 in 9 games) and 1.17 on the road (7 in 6 games).
How does Zach Werenski perform in the playoffs?
In the playoffs, Zach Werenski has 29 games and 13 points in his career. His pace (0.45 points per game) is lower than his regular-season pace (0.73).
Which player is most similar to Zach Werenski?
Shayne Gostisbehere: he is the player at his position whose PAL profile (the 0-to-100 dimensions) is closest to his in 2025-26.
Shayne Gostisbehere's page →Is Zach Werenski a good fantasy pick?
Yes, a top-tier pick: our projection has him at 79 points in 2026-27, or 1.00 points per game.
Is Zach Werenski married?
Yes, married to Odette Peters in 2025.
What is Zach Werenski's nationality?
Zach Werenski is American. Internationally: United States: gold medal at the World U‑17 (2014), competed at the World Junior Championship (2015, finished 5th), captain and bronze medal at the 2016 World Junior Championship with IIHF Directorate Top Defenseman and tournament All‑Star honors, gold medal at the 2025 World Championship named Best Defenseman and to the All‑Star team, gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics — assisted on the overtime game‑winning goal.
What awards has Zach Werenski won?
James Norris Memorial Trophy (NHL's top defenseman) — 2026 ; Excellence in Sports Award from the National Polish‑American Sports Hall of Fame — co‑recipient, June 2026 ; IIHF Directorate Top Defenseman at the World Junior Championship — 2016 ; Named to the World Junior Championship All‑Star Team — 2016 ; Named to the World Championship All‑Star Team and Best Defenseman of the tournament — 2025 ; NHL Rookie of the Month — November 2016 ; Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year (Big Ten Conference) — college season (year of distinction as stated in the article) ; AHCA First Team All‑American — college season (year of distinction as stated in the article); and more.
How many championships has Zach Werenski won?
4: Calder Cup with the Lake Erie Monsters (AHL) — 2016; World U‑17 gold medal with the United States — 2014; World Championship gold medal with the United States — 2025; Winter Olympic gold medal with the United States — 2026.
Where did Zach Werenski play before turning pro?
USA Hockey National Team Development Program (2013–14 season); CHL rights owned by the London Knights (drafted in the 2013 OHL Priority Selection); University of Michigan (college seasons and honors as described in the article)..
How many points is Zach Werenski projected to score in 2026-27?
Our projection has him at 79 points in 79 games in 2026-27 (54 to 96 points, 80% interval), based on his recent seasons, age and role.
See also: his Columbus Blue Jackets teammates
Full roster →
NHL.com ↗ · Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)