Zach Werenski was elite over the course of the 2023-24 season.
Among defensemen in the NHL who played more than 400 minutes at 5v5, here’s where Zach Werenski ranked:
xG: 13.9 (4th behind Josi, Makar, and Dahlin)
Points: 46 (12th)
xG/60: 0.49 (5th behind MacDonald, Makar, Hamilton, and Josi)
Assists per 60: 1.61 (12th)
Points per 60: 2.00 (14th)
The Norris Trophy is awarded not just for defensive performance, but as a function of points as well. Werenski finished the year with 57 points, a career high, but managed just 12 power play points (2-10-12) this season. Meanwhile, Werenski posted a whopping 45 points at even strength. If he was part of a unit that was better than 31st in the league, Werenski’s production coupled with his performance defensively (he managed to not be a minus in +/- despite the team being outscored by 63 this year) could easily have landed him as a Norris finalist.
Instead, an absolutely elite 5v5 season from the team’s best defenseman was wasted.
2023-24 Stats
Games: 70
Goals: 11
Assists: 46
Points: 57
Plus/Minus: 0
PIM: 22
5v5 Corsi%: 52.0
5v5 Fenwick%: 51.2
Off Zone Start %: 60.1
Contract
Werenski has four years remaining on a six year deal that carries a $9,583,333 AAV and cap hit. This year, $2 million of that salary will be paid in a signing bonus. Werenski’s contract carries a full No Move Clause until the final year of his contract. Werenski is the best defenseman on the team, and he certainly earned his contract last season.
High Point
Werenski’s best game of the season came at its conclusion as the Jackets beat the Hurricanes 6-3 in Nationwide Arena. Werenski posted a 2-2-4 as the Jackets ended the year on a high note.
Low Point
In a 6-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets at Nationwide Arena on March 17, 2024, Werenski was a season-worst -4 in 25:07.
Report Card
A
Werenski could not have been asked to do more this season. On a terrible team that underachieved from even the most modest expectations in the preseason, Werenski posted better than half a point per game at 5v5, was among the league leaders in analytical metrics, and would have been among the league leaders in traditional stats if the Jackets had allowed him to rack up any level of power play points. If the Jackets get this level of production from Werenski for the rest of his contract, he will more than have earned his deal.