"Zach has been dealing with this injury since early in the season, and while he was able to play through it, our medical team determined that surgery was the best option at this time," Kekalainen said. "The surgery went very well and the expectation is Zach will be ready to play by the start of the season or shortly thereafter."
Werenski, 20, had 37 points (16 goals, 21 assists) in 77 games this season and tied Seth Jones for the Blue Jackets record for goals by a defenseman. Werenski was tied for fourth in goals among NHL defensemen and helped Columbus (45-30-7) clinch the first wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference.
The No. 8 pick in the 2015 NHL Draft, Werenski had three points (one goal, two assists) in six playoff games when the Blue Jackets were eliminated by the Washington Capitals in the Eastern Conference First Round.
