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Time of India
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
'I forgot how much fun winning was": Zach Werenski sets his sights higher with Columbus Blue Jackets following breakout season
Zach Werenski's hunger for winning has reached a new level after a year filled with personal milestones and international glory. Following his best NHL season to date with the Columbus Blue Jackets and a gold medal performance at the 2025 IIHF World Championship with Team USA, Zach Werenski isn't just looking for accolades—he wants to bring a Stanley Cup run to Columbus. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now International success drives Zach Werenski's push for a playoff breakthrough in Columbus Winning fever struck close to home for Zach Werenski in two poignant moments this off-season. The 27-year-old was at the center of a surprising Blue Jackets season that had the team one victory from a playoff spot. But instead of dwelling on how close they got, Werenski's focus already is on what comes next—and just how much higher the team can reach. 'I forgot how much fun winning was,' said Werenski. 'I won the Calder (Cup) when I first signed out of college (with AHL Cleveland in 2016), but I didn't really understand then what it meant to win and how hard it was." Zach Werenski All 23 Goals 2024 2025 That pang was compounded when he saw his old teammates Sergei Bobrovsky and Seth Jones hoist the Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers. It was Florida's second consecutive championship and third year in a row to appear in the Finals—a streak that caused Werenski to think about what it would take to do something similar in Columbus. The Blue Jackets' 2024–25 season was a major step forward. Werenski posted career highs across the board—23 goals, 59 assists, and 82 points—and earned top-three Norris Trophy consideration. He finished seventh in Hart Trophy voting and served as the team's emotional and tactical anchor. Top Plays: Zach Werenski | 2025 #MensWorlds Still, there are questions. Can this young core develop into a tested contender? Is the defense, outside of Werenski, deep enough? Will the goaltending be consistent? Werenski feels the answers are in the culture they've established. Now back in offseason training mode—and in July, he has a wedding to attend—Zach Werenski is already looking ahead to Team USA's Olympic camp next month and, more significantly, a bigger year in Columbus. Also read: For the Columbus Blue Jackets and their foundation defenseman, the next move isn't merely getting into the playoffs—it's constructing a roster that can at last pursue the Cup.
New York Times
11 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
After reaching NHL elite status, Blue Jackets' Zach Werenski craves winning even more
COLUMBUS, Ohio — As if missing the Stanley Cup playoffs by one win wasn't tantalizing enough, Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski has had two moments since the end of the season that have intensified his desire to play for a contender in Columbus. The first pangs struck in late May, when Werenski and the United States won the gold medal at the IIHF World Championship in Stockholm, Sweden, the first gold for Team USA since 1933. Advertisement 'I forgot how much fun winning was,' said Werenski, who was named the tournament's top defenseman. 'I won the Calder (Cup) when I first signed out of college (with AHL Cleveland in 2016), but I didn't really understand then what it meant to win and how hard it was. 'After Worlds, I texted some people who are close to me. I think this is verbatim: 'I love winning and I want more of it.'' The second instance was earlier this week, as he watched the Florida Panthers hoist the Stanley Cup for a second straight year. That included his former teammates, goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky and defenseman Seth Jones, as well as Panthers GM Bill Zito, who worked previously in the Blue Jackets front office. Jones, who once partnered with Werenski on the Blue Jackets' top pair, was traded from Chicago to Florida in early March. He was the third player to hold the Cup in the on-ice celebration after Florida captain Aleksander Barkov and veteran defenseman Nate Schmidt. 'I'm really happy for Jonesy,' Werenski said. 'With his situation in Chicago, it obviously wasn't the best with what was going on there. For him to get a fresh start and be reunited with Billy and Bob and be part of that team in Florida, it's awesome. 'And, in a way, you wish that was you. I texted (Jones) after (Tuesday's Game 6), just saying how much he deserved it. But that adds more motivation, right? You want to be in that position after seeing one of your friends there. It was the same with Savvy (David Savard) when we traded him to Tampa Bay (2021). 'You're so happy for him, but deep down you're like, 'F—, I kinda want that to be me.'' Werenski is coming off the best season of his career. He set multiple personal and franchise records, finishing with 23 goals, 59 assists and 82 points in 81 games. He finished second in voting for the Norris Trophy and seventh in voting for the Hart Trophy. The 27-year-old was a driving force for a Blue Jackets club that became one of the best stories in the NHL. Columbus was expected to be a lottery team, but instead was the league's last club to be eliminated from the playoffs, making a 23-point improvement from 2023-24. Advertisement He was also Team USA's leading scorer and a standout player at the 4 Nations Face-off. But Werenski said he hasn't taken much time to look back on the season. After a short break, he changed his mind and decided to play for Team USA in the World Championships, then stayed in Europe to take a pre-marriage honeymoon — he and his fiancée are marrying in July — so that he'd have time to train and prepare for training camp. 'I'm more motivated now than ever,' Werenski said. 'I'm back in offseason mode, and I really haven't had much time to think about our season, and I don't think I will. 'The one thing that stood out to me, watching (Tuesday's Game 6) was how much fun Florida was having, that atmosphere. That's the next step. It's great to have some individual success, but … ' As he watched Florida play during the last two postseasons, Werenski said, he couldn't help but wonder what the Blue Jackets needed to do to reach that standard. The Jackets are a very young team, but will those young players mature into the rugged, battle-tested players that the Panthers have up and down their lineup? GM Don Waddell wants to make bold moves to move the Blue Jackets forward, but will he be able to land the right pieces like Zito has in Florida? 'You definitely think about it,' Werenski said. 'That's the standard, right? They've been to three Finals in a row, won two Cups in a row. Their core is pretty much staying together. They're the team to beat again next year, and so you have to think about that. 'We have to get (to the playoffs) first, but if we do get there, these are the teams we have to go through. I would assume every GM, coach and player, top to bottom, thinks that way: Can we beat this team? Are we built good enough to beat this team?' It might have sounded ridiculous to ask that question one year ago. It's still a reach, but the Blue Jackets had several of their young players bloom dramatically last season. Adam Fantilli, 20, and Kirill Marchenko, 24, each had 31 goals. Kent Johnson, 22, was third on the team in goals (24) and tied for third in points (57). Advertisement Waddell had the second-most cap space in the NHL ($40 million) and two first-round draft picks to use as trade chips, so there's a chance the Blue Jackets' lineup will be bolstered by this time next month. There is still a ton of work to do in Columbus, but one could argue that the future — if Waddell can keep this group together — has never been brighter with the Blue Jackets. Werenski said he started skating earlier this week. He'll skate three times a week until August, then ramp up to four days a week until September. In late August, he'll head to Plymouth, Mich., for Team USA summer Olympic camp, with the expectation that he'll play for the red, white and blue in Italy next winter. For the next couple of weeks, he'll help put the finishing touches on the wedding plans while watching closer as Waddell makes his roster moves. A few players are certain to leave via free agency, but Waddell is intent on making upgrades, too. Werenski's not in full-blown hockey mode just yet. The offseason is important, too. But he's begun to look forward to next season, and there's optimism in his gaze. 'We have the culture in place,' Werenski said. 'I know we've said that for years, that we have a great group, and we did. But I don't think we had the culture like we did this past season. It was obvious in how we played, how we handled ourselves, how hard we competed. We truly have that now. 'You don't lose that togetherness in three months. We'll build off it next season. But I don't think we're going to have any issues in training camp with guys understanding their roles, or understanding the expectations, or how we have to play. 'Last year was a great year for us, but we fell short of the playoffs. Next season, the expectations are going to be higher.'
Boston Globe
a day ago
- Sport
- Boston Globe
The top 10 offensive players available in the 2025 NHL Draft
Michael Misa, Saginaw, Ontario Hockey League Scouts have raved about the 6-foot-1-inch, 182-pound Misa's complete game. He plays with physicality and creativity, allowing him to separate from defenders and open opportunities for himself and his teammates. Misa is a strong skater with a quick release and his production this season was ridiculous as he collected 62 goals and 134 points in just 65 games. Gaudy junior numbers don't guarantee NHL success, of course, but it would be a surprise if Misa didn't make an impact as early as next season. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Saginaw's Michael Misa lit up the Ontario Hockey League for 62 goals and 134 points in just 65 games. Kevin Sousa/Getty Advertisement James Hagens, Boston College, Hockey East Hagens seamlessly stepped right into a talented and veteran Eagles lineup and showed he belonged on the top line, collecting 11 goals and 37 points in 37 games. He added another five goals and 9 points in seven games for the United States at the World Junior Championship. A deceptively powerful skater, the 5-11, 185-pounder has worked to put on muscle since the season ended. Hagens has excellent vision and passing skills, and will snap off accurate shots in the blink of an eye. Advertisement Jake O'Brien, Brantford, OHL Perhaps the best vision in the class, the 6-2, 177-pounder (he'll be in some franchise's weight room tout suite) often appears to see the game a stride or two ahead of others. In 66 games, he solidified his rep as a scorer (32 goals) and a facilitator (66 assists). Ran the power play for Brantford and could develop into that same role in the NHL. Porter Martone, Brampton, OHL After putting up 37 goals and 98 points in 57 games, Martone got the call from Team Canada to play in the IIHF World Championship alongside many NHL stars, giving him somewhat of a head start on what life in the big leagues will be like. Martone (6-3, 210) has the requisite size and snarl to become an impactful power forward at the next level. He's not shy about crashing the net and/or camping out in the blue ice. Yes, he'll take some punishment, but he'll give as good as he gets. Porter Martone Martone got the call from Team Canada to play in the IIHF World Championship. Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Anton Frondell, Djurgarden, Swedish Hockey League The No. 1-ranked international skater by CSB, Frondell has solid size (6-1, 203) and hockey sense. He gets up and down the ice with purpose and will not shirk his defensive responsibilities. Frondell, who battled injuries over the first part of last season, has a quick, heavy, and accurate shot. Bruins director of scouting Brad Nadeau said of Frondell: 'He plays a mature game. He can shoot the puck; he'll go to the net.' Advertisement Victor Eklund, Djurgarden, SHL Frondell's teammate (and late-season linemate) was ranked No. 2 by CSB. He has a high-end motor, a high hockey IQ, and great bloodlines (his brother William is a Sharks standout). Like a lot of teens, Eklund will need to add some bulk to his 5-11, 169-pound frame to withstand the rigors of the NHL. Caleb Desnoyers, Moncton, Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Desnoyers is a crafty playmaker with excellent vision and gifted passing skills. He leads his teammates well, delivering crisp passes right on the tape. Desnoyers (35 goals, 84 points in 56 games) has room to grow physically (6-1, 170), is sound in all three zones, and has drawn comparisons to Patrice Bergeron. Roger McQueen, Brandon, Western Hockey League The strapping McQueen (6-5, 198) likely would be ranked higher if not for a spine fracture that limited him to 17 games (10 goals, 20 points). McQueen declared himself 100 percent at the recent NHL Scouting Combine. A powerful skater, McQueen has excellent instincts and physicality. He will go to the hard areas (puck digging in the corner and parking himself in the blue) and will win his share of battles. Jakob Ihs-Wozniak, Lulea, SHL Ihs-Wozniak has desirable size (6-2, 184) and a wicked shot. A strong skater, Ihs-Wozniak, ranked No. 8 on CSB's international list, will flash physicality, though scouts would like to see that part of his game on a more consistent basis. Malcolm Spence, Erie, OHL A speedy and strong player with a sizzling shot, the 6-1, 203-pound Spence put up nice numbers, collecting 32 goals and 73 points in 65 games. Similar to Ihs-Wozniak, Spence needs to develop consistency in order to be counted on at the high levels. Advertisement Jim McBride can be reached at
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Final 2025 NHL Draft Rankings: Ryan Kennedy's Top 100
The 2025 NHL draft is fast approaching, and with that, it's time to drop some final rankings. The top 100 you'll find below are very similar to the ones you will find in The Hockey News' Draft Preview because, duh, I wrote them both. But with the benefit of a few more weeks, I did tweak these – including in the top 10. Advertisement I will also point out that in the past few years, I've done a final 120. I've trimmed it this time because there were players I talked to scouts about who were seen as 'non-drafts' altogether, and I would rather have a top 100 with the least amount of uncertainty possible (as if that's possible, ha ha). I don't want to just list "guys" for the sake of. Final note: Perhaps the biggest X-factor in the class is Minnesota high school center Mason West. The big Edina Hornets star is also an elite football quarterback, and while he says he's focused on hockey, he also recently revealed he will be playing high school football again in the fall before heading off to the USHL. When I talked to scouts about this possibility during the season, they did not like it – they would have preferred to see him playing college hockey next year. How will this ultimately impact his draft stock? Well, it only takes one team to step up and take him, so we shall wait and see. In the meantime, here's how I see things: Matthew Schaefer (Brandon Soto / OHL Images) 1. Matthew Schaefer, D, Erie (OHL): An elite blueliner with great hockey IQ and skating acumen who can make an impact in all three zones. Schaefer brings a ton of skill to the ice, but also a lot of character. He's a pick you can build a franchise around. Advertisement 2. Michael Misa, C, Saginaw (OHL): Absolutely destroyed the OHL this season, winning the Red Tilson Award as most outstanding player in the process. Misa has one of the best shots in the draft, and he really improved his 200-foot game this season. 3. Porter Martone, RW, Brampton (OHL): A power forward in the mold of the Tkachuk brothers, Martone is a beast of a teen who earned time at the IIHF World Championship once his OHL year was done, playing on the same Canadian team as Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon. 4. Anton Frondell, C, Djurgarden (Swe.): Helped Djurgarden's pro team win the biggest series in Swedish history in getting promoted to the SHL over rival AIK. Frondell is a big center with a great shot who plays a very team-friendly game. 5. James Hagens, C, Boston College (NCAA): A super-smart and talented center who put up admirable numbers as a freshman in college, Hagens doesn't have ideal size, but he did play on Team USA's top line en route to world junior gold. Advertisement 6. Caleb Desnoyers, C, Moncton (QMJHL): Took his Wildcats to a QMJHL championship and a Memorial Cup berth. Desnoyers is a smart, 200-foot player with great details, and he can also blow your doors off in terms of offensive production. 7. Roger McQueen, C, Brandon (WHL): A suspected back injury had scouts a little leery, so we'll see who takes him on draft day. A healthy McQueen is a titan-sized center who skates well, drives the net and plays with a lot of skill. 8. Victor Eklund, RW, Djurgarden (Swe.): Frondell's teammate on that instant-legend Djurgarden squad, Eklund doesn't have a lot of size but plays like he does. He's got an excellent motor and already has a world juniors under his belt, where he was one of Sweden's best producers. 9. Brady Martin, C, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL): Farm-boy strong, Martin is just scratching the surface, and the early returns are already impressive. He was massive for Canada at the World Men's Under-18s and carried a Soo team that didn't have a lot of other options this season. Advertisement 10. Jackson Smith, D, Tri-City (WHL): Another World Under-18s standout, Smith got hot at the end of his WHL season and put up nice offensive numbers. But his skating and defensive work are really his calling cards, making him an attractive asset on the blueline. Draft Preview 2025 | The Hockey News Archive Draft Preview 2025 | The Hockey News Archive The Hockey News has been providing the most comprehensive coverage of the world of hockey since 1947. In each issue, you'll find news, features and opinions abo... 11. Jake O'Brien, C, Brantford (OHL) 12. Kashawn Aitcheson, D, Barrie (OHL) 13. Braeden Cootes, C, Seattle (WHL) 14. Radim Mrtka, D, Seattle (WHL) Advertisement 15. Carter Bear, LW, Everett (WHL) 16. Logan Hensler, D, Wisconsin (NCAA) 17. Justin Carbonneau, RW, Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL) 18. Lynden Lakovic, LW, Moose Jaw (WHL) 19. Cameron Reid, D, Kitchener (OHL) 20. Jack Nesbitt, C, Windsor (OHL) 21. Malcolm Spence, LW, Erie (OHL) 22. Ivan Ryabkin, C, Muskegon (USHL) 23. Jakob Ihs Wozniak, RW, Lulea Jr. (Swe.) 24. Milton Gastrin, C, Modo (Swe.) 25. Cullen Potter, LW, Arizona State (NCAA) 26. Joshua Ravensbergen, G, Prince George (WHL) 27. Ben Kindel, C, Calgary (WHL) 28. Cole Reschny, C, Victoria (WHL) 29. Bill Zonnon, RW, Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL) 30. Shane Vansaghi, RW, Michigan State (NCAA) Advertisement 31. Henry Brzustewicz, D, London (OHL) 32. Cameron Schmidt, RW, Vancouver (WHL) 33. Blake Fiddler, D, Edmonton (WHL) 34. William Moore, C, U.S. NTDP (USHL) 35. Eric Nilson, C, Djurgarden Jr. (Swe.) 36. Haoxi (Simon) Wang, D, King (OJHL) 37. Vojtech Cihar, LW, Karlovy Vary (Cze.) 38. Eddie Genborg, RW, Linkoping (Swe.) 39. Will Horcoff, LW, Michigan (NCAA) 40. Jack Murtagh, LW, U.S. NTDP (USHL) 41. Luca Romano, RW, Kitchener (OHL) 42. Jacob Rombach, D, Lincoln (USHL) 43. Ryker Lee, RW, Madison (USHL) 44. Matthew Gard, RW, Red Deer (WHL) 45. Theo Stockselius, RW, Djurgarden Jr. (Swe.) 46. Ben Kevan, RW, Des Moines (USHL) Advertisement 47. Vaclav Nestrasil, LW, Muskegon (USHL) 48. Tomas Poletin, LW, Pelicans (Fin.) 49. Daniil Prokhorov, RW, Dynamo St. Petersburg Jr. (Rus.) 50. Cole McKinney, C, U.S. NTDP (USHL) 51. Kurban Limatov, D, Moscow Dynamo (Rus.) 52. Charlie Trethewey, D, U.S. NTDP (USHL) 53. Kristian Epperson, RW, Saginaw (OHL) 54. Viktor Klingsell, LW, Skelleftea (Swe.) 55. Sascha Boumedienne, D, Boston U. (NCAA) 56. Theodor Hallquisth, D, Orebro (Swe.) 57. Adam Benak, C, Youngstown (USHL) 58. Aleksei Medvedev, G, London (OHL) 59. Peyton Kettles, D, Swift Current (WHL) 60. Pyotr Andreyanov, G, CSKA Moscow (Rus.) 61. Conrad Fondrk, C, U.S. NTDP (USHL) Advertisement 62. Lucas Beckman, G, Baie-Comeau (QMJHL) 63. Francesco Delle'Elce, D, UMass (NCAA) 64. Mason West, C, Edina (MN HS) 65. Brandon Gorzynski, C, Calgary (WHL) 66. Zachary Morin, LW, Saint John (QMJHL) 67. Dakoda Rheaume-Mullin, D, Michigan (NCAA) 68. Tyler Hopkins, C, Kingston (OHL) 69. Jack Ivankovic, G, Brampton (OHL) 70. Max Psenicka, D, Portland (WHL) 71. Hayden Paupanekis, C, Kelowna (WHL) 72. Sean Barnhill, D, Dubuque (USHL) 73. Lasse Boelius, D, Assat (Fin.) 74. Ethan Czata, C, Niagara (OHL) 75. Maceo Phillips, D, U.S. NTDP (USHL) 76. Jan Chovan, C, Tappara (Fin.) 77. Nathan Behm, LW, Kamloops (WHL) Advertisement 78. Owen Griffin, C, Oshawa (OHL) 79. David Bedkowski, D, Owen Sound (OHL) 80. Filip Ekberg, LW, Ottawa (OHL) 81. Alexander Zharovsky, RW, Ufa Jr. (Rus.) 82. Carlos Handel, D, Halifax (QMJHL) 83. Evan Passmore, D, Barrie (OHL) 84. Michal Pradel, G, Tri-City (USHL) 85. Reese Hamilton, D, Regina (WHL) 86. Carter Amico, D, U.S. NTDP (USHL) 87. Mans Goos, G, Farjestad (Swe.) 88. Luka Radivojevic, D, Muskegon (USHL) 89. Karl Annborn, D, HV71 (Swe.) 90. Atte Joki, C, Lukko (Fin.) 91. Matias Vanhanen, LW, HIFK (Fin.) 92. Semyon Frolov, G, Spartak (Rus.) 93. Louis-Antoine Denault, G, Quebec (QMJHL) 94. Caeden Herrington, D, Lincoln (USHL) Advertisement 95. Emile Guite, C, Chicoutimi (QMJHL) 96. Mason Moe, LW, Madison (USHL) 97. Alex Huang, D, Chicoutimi (QMJHL) 98. Lev Katzin, RW, Guelph (OHL) 99. Trenten Bennett, G, Owen Sound (OHL) 100. Oliver Turner, D, St. Andrew's (PHC) For in-depth scouting reports on the top 100 prospects for the 2025 NHL draft, check out The Hockey News' Draft Preview issue. You'll also find Team Reports on all 32 NHL clubs looking at the short- and long-term needs. Plus, we have feature stories on Matthew Schaefer, Anton Frondell, Michael Misa, Jackson Smith and the Nashville Predators, and we look at the impact of PWHL expansion and break down the upcoming draft.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Confirmed: William Nylander Will Join Swedish Team
William Nylander has accepted an invitation to play for Sweden at the IIHF World Championship and is already on his way to Stockholm, Swedish website reported. on Wednesday morning. On Wednesday afternoon European time, the Swedish Ice Hockey Association confirmed the news via X (formerly Twitter). 'Welcome to Tre Kronor, William Nylander,' the tweet begins. 'William joins the team during the day and is ready to play in the quarterfinals against Czechia.' © James Guillory-Imagn Images When asked about the possibility of going during his end-of-season media availiability in Toronto on Tuesday, Nylander replied, 'I'm thinking about it. We'll see what happens.' Advertisement If Nylander is in the lineup against Czechia on Thursday, he will probably be lining up against Toronto Maple Leafs teammate David Kämpf, who has joined the Czech team and is also expected to arrive in Stockholm on Wednesday. David Kämpf To Join Czech Team: 'He Accepted With Great Enthusiasm' David Kämpf To Join Czech Team: 'He Accepted With Great Enthusiasm' Earlier in the tournament, members of the Czech coaching and management staff didn't hide the fact that they'd be interested in adding David Kämpf to their World Championship roster if the Toronto Maple Leafs were eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs. On Tuesday, the center's addition was confirmed. Nylander would be the third player added to the Swedish team since the start of the tournament, following Rasmus Sandin of the Washington Capitals and William Karlsson of the Vegas Golden Knights, who both debuted in Tuesday's 5-3 loss to Canada. Advertisement Swedish media is also reporting that Mika Zibanejad, who missed Tuesday's game with an undisclosed illness, will '99 percent' play on Thursday. Zibanejad Out, William Karlsson In For Sweden Against Canada Zibanejad Out, William Karlsson In For Sweden Against Canada Mika Zibanejad, Sweden's veteran forward from the New York Rangers who has scored four goals in the first six games of the 2025 IIHF World Championship
