The Columbus Blue Jackets have high hopes for the 2025-26 campaign. This is coming off a surprising 2024-25 season, which was led by defenseman Zach Werenski . Werenski was the X-factor last year as the Blue Jackets missed the playoffs by just two points. This year, there will be a new X-factor in Columbus.

Werenski has become one of the best blue-liners in the NHL this year. He was the No. 8 overall pick of the team in the 2015 NHL Draft. He immediately started making an impact. In 2016-17, the defender played in 78 games as a rookie, scoring 11 times and adding 36 assists. The American scored 40 or more points in four of his next six seasons.

He took another step up in his play in 2023-24, lighting the lamp 11 times and adding 46 assists for a career-high 57 points. Then last seaso

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