Werenski has battled through injuries his entire career, but this season he's healthy and tearing up the league.
Zach Werenski recorded a point last at Nationwide Arena for the 20th straight game. That streak is now the 5th longest such streak in NHL history. The names ahead of him are Bobby Orr (25, 21), Paul Coffey (23), and Phil Housley (22), all three of which are Hall of Famers.
This points streak is not only fun to watch but also historic and isn't being talked about enough outside of Columbus.
Werenski also scored his 58th point of the season, and now has 17 goals and 41 assists. His 58 points are third among defensemen (C. Makar-60, Q. Hughes-59). He's 2nd with 17 goals and 2nd with 41 assists among those three players. Of those three players, he is arguably the most valuable to his team compared to the other two.
Werenski also set a franchise record with his 58th point. It's the most points by any defenseman in a single season in team history. He did so in 54 games, compared to him tying the record at 57 last season in 70 games. He was tied with former Jackets D-Man Seth Jones who set the record in 2018. He will obliterate this record and set a new record that could stand for decades.
Zach Werenski has a chance to beat Artemi Panarin's franchise record of 87 points, set in 2018-19. If he can stay healthy and play the maximum number of games, and based on his current pace, he'll hit 86 to 88 points by the end of the season. If he can do this, he will further cement himself as not only the best defenseman in CBJ history but one of the top overall players, regardless of position.
Despite being a major reason why the CBJ are battling for a playoff spot, and running neck and neck with Hughes and Makar, he just isn't being talked about enough. Sure he is brought up every now and then on National radio shows, but mainly because of his Four Nations nod. For years, analysts outside of Columbus have loved Zach Werenski and knew he was elite, but due to injuries, he just couldn't get over the hump, so they quieted down the talk. But he's healthy and playing great, so where's the talk now? It's all Hughes and Makar.
In Columbus however, everyone talks about Zach Werenski, and rightfully so. He is a legit Norris candidate this season and should be treated as such.
We might just be witnessing the birth of a hall-of-fame career.
What's Next: The Jackets play the New York Rangers at home on Saturday in what is the last game before the Four Nations Faceoff break.
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