THE APEX TIMES
NHL Network slots Blue Jackets’ Zach Werenski among its “Top 20 Defensemen Right Now”
In a leaguewide ranking update focused on current elite play, Columbus’ franchise defenseman Zach Werenski lands near the top and brings a Norris Trophy résumé into the discussion.
NHL Network has released a “Top 20 Defensemen Right Now” list, and the Columbus Blue Jackets’ Zach Werenski is featured near the very top of the group. The appearance is the latest league-facing acknowledgment of a player who has been steadily building a case for elite status even as the wider attention on him has taken longer than it might have for other high-profile defensemen.
Werenski’s standing is rooted in his recent production and recognition from the league’s awards cycle. Yahoo Sports notes that he earned the Norris Trophy last season, a marker that places him among the NHL’s best overall defensemen and reinforces why he is treated as a current benchmark rather than a purely historical name.
The broader point of a “right now” ranking is that it is meant to reflect how teams might value a defenseman in the present tense. Yahoo Sports frames Werenski’s case around the last two seasons, suggesting his play has been of such a quality level that he can reasonably be described as the best or close to the best in the position group, even among a league stocked with top-tier blueliners.
Columbus’ relationship with its star defenseman is also important context. Werenski is not just another contributor in a vacuum, he is the kind of foundational piece that can shape how a team defends, transitions the puck, and stabilizes play under pressure. Rankings like this typically matter most to fans because they translate on-ice value into a simpler, league-wide conversation.
Still, it is worth keeping expectations grounded. A top-20 list is subjective by nature, and different outlets often weigh skating, defensive structure, power-play impact, and overall minutes differently. The Yahoo Sports write-up emphasizes the “near the top” placement and the Norris Trophy reference, but it does not provide additional detail here on the exact slot or how every defenseman was compared.
What to watch next is whether the ranking becomes a launching point for how Werenski is discussed as the season approaches, including how teams plan around his influence in games against strong opponents. For the Blue Jackets, the storyline is straightforward: as league analysts reassert Werenski’s current relevance, Columbus will want that attention to translate into consistent defensive performances and more complete games.
Why It Matters
- Leaguewide rankings shape how teams, media, and fans evaluate defensive talent in the present tense, not just reputation.
- Werenski’s Norris Trophy status adds weight to claims of “best-in-class” performance at the position.
- For Columbus, having its centerpiece defenseman highlighted near the top reinforces the player as a core identity for the franchise’s style of play.
Sources
Key Facts
- NHL Network published a “Top 20 Defensemen Right Now” ranking.
- Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets is listed near the top of that group.
- Yahoo Sports’ coverage ties Werenski’s current status to his recent play over the last two seasons.
- Werenski is described as the Norris Trophy winner from last season.
- The article frames the league’s recognition of Werenski as having come later than some players but asserts his level has been established.