NHL free agency: 5 fascinating restricted free agents

By Jasmine Yen | Jun 27, 2019

VANCOUVER, BC - MARCH 26: Brock Boeser #6 of the Vancouver Canucks looks on from the bench during their NHL game against the Anaheim Ducks at Rogers Arena March 26, 2019 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)"n /

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Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images /

3. Zach Werenski – Columbus Blue Jackets

Position: Defenseman

Age: 21 years old

At just 21 years old, Zach Werenski is a star defenseman in the NHL. Not only does he eat up a ton of minutes, but he also produces. He finished the season with 44 points and has a career 128 points.

The Seth Jones – Werenski pairing is one of the best in the league and keeping him long term should be a big priority for the Columbus Blue Jackets. On top of that, Jones would be a good reference for how much Werenski’s next contract.

Jones and Werenski have very similar production numbers but Jones has more ice time and is a more established defenseman. He makes $5.4 million a season which is a massive steal for the Blue Jackets and it’s hard to believe that Werenski will make much more than him.

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