Werenski happy to practice, get reacquainted with Columbus Blue Jackets
NEW YORK — Zach Werenski strapped on his gear, laced up his skates, pulled on his helmet and headed out for a Tuesday morning skate at Madison Square Garden.
It was the first time the injured Blue Jackets defenseman felt his skates glide across an ice surface for a game day on the road since early November, when he played in two otherwise forgettable games against the Colorado Avalanche in Tampere, Finland.
That was a long time ago.
A torn labrum in his right shoulder ended his season upon returning, sustained during an awkward fall Nov. 10 against the Philadelphia Flyers, and he’s watched from the press box ever since. The Blue Jackets’ 6-2 loss Tuesday to the New York Rangers was their 60th straight game without their top defenseman, but watching it live was nearly as cathartic for Werenski as twirling around at the morning skate.
“That was kind of my goal just to get around the guys this last month,” Werenski said. “I haven’t seen them much, so it’s just to get out, go to dinner, see the trainer, see the guys and just kinda get that feel again before I head home for summer.”
It’s a feeling he’s missed.
Werenski underwent surgery three weeks after the injury, allowing the swelling to subside enough to undergo a procedure he’d already had done in 2018 on his left shoulder. It was a painful time, physically and mentally. It was also the start of a long recovery that could stretch into the offseason.
“The worst part was when I got injured, they wouldn’t operate on me for like three weeks because it was so swollen, like fractured and everything,” Werenski said. “(That’s tough) because you’re not working towards anything. You’re just in pain for no reason. After surgery, at least you’re like, ‘Alright, six weeks from now I should be here and six weeks after that I should be here.’ You have something you’re working toward, so that’s a lot better.”
One of those goals was getting back on the ice with his teammates, which happened at practice Monday in Columbus. Adding the road trip was another boost.
“I think he’s done a phenomenal job with it,” Blue Jackets coach Brad Larsen said. “It’s hard to hear after 13 games, ‘You’re done for the year.’ Those are hard words to hear, but I think after a few weeks, what can you do?’ So, his whole focus has been … get the surgery, rehab and he’s been slowly getting better and now he’s back on the ice … and that’s an exciting step for him.”
It’s a lift for the Blue Jackets too.
“It’s just the camaraderie of being out there with your teammates and you actually enjoy the practices,” Larsen said. “There’s times where you’re going through the grind of a season (and) you hate practice. He’s one guy … he can’t wait to get out there. So, that actually brings energy to your practice.”
Kirill Marchenko still rolling for Columbus Blue Jackets
Pierre-Luc Dubois has company atop the Blue Jackets’ all-time rookie goal-scorers list.
Kirill Marchenko’s 20th goal capped a power play in the first period Tuesday against the Rangers, tying a record set in 2017-18 by Dubois ― the Blue Jackets’ former center who scored that many in 82 games. Marchenko started the AHL with the Cleveland Monsters and didn’t make his debut for the Blue Jackets until Dec. 5 in Pittsburgh. He’s only played 50 games in the NHL and has eight games left to push the mark higher.
“He wants to be a well-rounded hockey player,” Larsen said. “You see he can finish. He doesn’t need much room to finish, and he’s got a real bright future because he has this passion for the game. You love coaching him. You love being around him because he’s infectious.”
Marchenko is also chasing the goals lead among league rookies, moving into a tie for second with Seattle Kraken center Matty Beniers. They're each one behind Dallas Stars center Wyatt Johnston’s 21 goals in the top spot, but the leader has played 74 games and Beniers has played 71.
Marchenko is averaging 0.4 goals per game with an 18.7% shooting percentage and would have 30 goals if he scored at those rates over 74 games. That's not something the Blue Jackets rookie spends much time pondering.
“When I start thinking about goals, I stop scoring goals,” Marchenko said. “If I think about playing a good game and good moments in the game, good battles and doing the small details, I will score. I don’t think about goals.”
Columbus Blue Jackets again leaning on Cleveland Monsters
The Blue Jackets’ latest rash of injuries required multiple recalls from Cleveland to fill the NHL voids, including forward Trey Fix-Wolansky plus defensemen Jake Christiansen and Billy Sweezey.
All three played important roles for the Monsters, who are trying to claim a playoff spot in the AHL's North division, but they’re also thrilled to get another NHL opportunity.
Playing at Madison Square Garden wasn’t so bad either.
“I had a chance to play here in college too, a Yale-Harvard game, so maybe that takes a little of the excitement or the ‘awe factor’ away, but I’m definitely excited,” Sweezey said after the morning skate. “It’s one of the better buildings in the league, obviously.”
Sweezey, 27, logged just his second NHL game and finished with three hits in 18:25 ice time. Fix-Wolansky had three shots and six attempts. Christiansen assisted on Johnny Gaudreau’s 19th goal of the season.
Considering the Blue Jackets’ overflowing injury report, all three are expected to remain in the lineup Thursday to finish the trip against the Boston Bruins, which is music to Sweezey's ears. He's from Hanson, Massachusetts and will have a lot of family onhand at TD Garden.
"Everyone will definitely be there Thursday, I’m sure," Sweezey said. "I might be paying to play that night.”
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Zach Werenski enjoying return to Columbus Blue Jackets practices
