Aaron Portzline of the Athletic reports on a rumor swirling around the Blue Jackets and the long-term future of core defensemen Zach Werenski and Seth Jones.
The rumor is this: Pierre-Luc Dubois wanted out of Columbus because he saw a future where Werenski and Jones (who are both represented by Dubois’ agent Pat Brisson) get out of town at their first opportunity and didn’t want to be tied to the organization long-term for that reason.
Brisson, Werenski and Jones all denied the rumor to Portzline, saying that they would be willing to sign in Columbus. The extent we can take the denial at face value remains to be seen. That would be the expected response whether the defensemen were or weren’t willing to stay with the club.
The contracts of both defenseman expire after the 2021-22 season. Jones can be a UFA at that point and Werenski will have one RFA season left.
