Big news out of Columbus today: Zach Werenski has won the Norris Trophy as the best defenseman in the NHL. If you followed the sport this season, you are not surprised.
Simply put, Zach was an elite player again this season. For the second year in a row, he did everything for the Blue Jackets. He once again led the team in scoring with 81 points-14 ahead of his next closest teammate. He finished second in the league in average ice time (26:37), playing in all situations for his team, against all competition.
On both sides of the puck, he was simply elite. Though he gets some flak for his defensive zone play from the "eye test" perspective; the deeper analytics tell a different story. He makes a massive difference for the Blue Jackets.
The eye test and analytics both point to Zach Werenski as the best all-around defenseman in the NHL, despite being on a non-playoff team.
His on-ice goal differential (+23) led all CBJ defensemen, with Damon Severson (+20) being the only regular on the positive side of this stat. His metrics show what we really notice when he's on the ice: that he alters the pace of the game when he's playing.
As a result of an improved all-around game, Zach had the puck more. He finished second in the league in scoring from the blue line behind Edmonton's Evan Bouchard (95 points). But, it's worth noting that Bouchard plays on a team with two of the best offensive players in the sport.
Zach plays on a team whose next leading scorer was Kirill Marchenko. Not to knock on Kirill, but there is a comfortable gap between him and Leon Draistaitl-let alone Connor McDavid. Imagine how many points Werenski would have on that team, or while playing on the same power-play as Nathan MacKinnon in Colorado.
Hard work pays off.
Over the past two years, Zach's perception around the league has changed from an injury prone #1 defenseman; to an elite player in this league. This season, he earned the Norris Trophy as the best defenseman in the NHL, just three years after major shoulder surgery that limited him to only 13 games.
What changed? He altered the way he eats and works out in the summer. That led to a leaner, stronger frame; which has vaulted him into rare territory in the NHL. At a time when the league is trending towards smaller, more creative skaters; Zach has turned into a bit of a unicorn.
At 6'2" and 215 pounds, he has proven to the world that he can skate, score, and defend at an elite level. Look no further than his Olympic Gold Medal winning assist. and muscling MacKinnon off of the puck to set up a Golden goal is something that only one person can say they have ever done.
Obviously, the Olympic results can't "officially" alter the Norris Trophy voting. But, I'm willing to bet that many had this in the back of their minds when entering their ballots.
