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Free Agency

Potential RFAs and Trade Targets for Blackhawks This Offseason

By Tony Gianares
WINNIPEG, MB - APRIL 12: Jacob Trouba #8 of the Winnipeg Jets keeps an eye on the play during second period action against the St. Louis Blues in Game Two of the Western Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell MTS Place on April 12, 2019 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The Blues defeated the Jets 4-3 to lead the series 2-0. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)
WINNIPEG, MB - APRIL 12: Jacob Trouba #8 of the Winnipeg Jets keeps an eye on the play during second period action against the St. Louis Blues in Game Two of the Western Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell MTS Place on April 12, 2019 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The Blues defeated the Jets 4-3 to lead the series 2-0. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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COLUMBUS, OH – JANUARY 10: Zach Werenski #8 of the Columbus Blue Jackets skates against the Nashville Predators on January 10, 2019 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – JANUARY 10: Zach Werenski #8 of the Columbus Blue Jackets skates against the Nashville Predators on January 10, 2019 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Zach Werenski

When you talk about the best defensemen in the NHL, you have to include Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Werenski is as solid as it gets — he can skate, execute under pressure, has good vision, can put points on the board, he’s smart and he’s young (21). He’s exactly the type of defenseman the Blackhawks are desperate for right now.

Zach Werenski is a solid two-way defenseman who stands at 6’2″ 209 lbs. He’s a consistent player and he’s a gamer with a high motor. Ever since he entered the NHL in 2016, Werenski hasn’t stopped. Through 3 NHL seasons, he has only missed a total of 9 games. His ice time has also increased with each passing season and he set a new career high of 22:54 ATOI this season. The Blackhawks need a minutes eater really bad right now.

If you’ve never seen Zach Werenski play, you have definitely been missing out on a great player. This highlight reel showcases all that Werenski has to offer. He can hang with the best of them.

Zach Werenski is on the final year of his 3-year, $5 mil ($925k AAV) entry-level contract, so it’s basically a guarantee that he will receive a hefty pay raise. You can expect Werenski to fall into the $6,341,153 – $8,454,871 tier in which the Blackhawks would lose one 1st round pick, one 2nd round pick, and one 3rd round pick.

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