Werenski signs for nearly $10 million a year on long term deal!

The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed defenseman Zach Werenski to a six year contract worth $57.5 million. The annual average value and the cap hit comes in just over $9.5 million per season.

And the salary structure courtesy of Sportsnet NHL insider Chris Johnston:

The 24 year old Werenski put up seven goals and 20 points in 35 games with the Blues Jackets last season and, in total, he has registered 65 goals and 124 assists for 189 points with 71 penalty minutes and a +13 plus/minus rating, while averaging 22:43 in time on ice in 335 career NHL games. Since making his debut with Columbus in 2016, he ranks tied for third among NHL blueliners in goals and 19th in points. He is the club's all-time leader in goals by a defenseman, while ranking second in points and fourth in assists.

"Zach Werenski has been one of the top defensemen in the National Hockey League over the past five years and we are thrilled that he will continue to be a Blue Jacket and the leader of our blueline for at least the next seven years," said Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen in a prepared statement. "As talented as Zach is and as much as he has achieved so early in his career, he is an even better person and will be a foundational player for our club as we move forward."

As for Werenski, there was never any doubt in his mind about committing long-term to Columbus. After watching stars like Seth Jones, Pierre-Luc Dubois, Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky beg out of town in recent years, Werenski chose to stay.

"I'm really excited and grateful to Mr. McConnell, J.D., Jarmo and everyone there for the opportunity to continue to be a Blue Jacket and be part of something that I think is going to be very special," said Werenski. "The city of Columbus has been so good to me, it's close to home and my family and as I thought about it, it was really a no-brainer. I'm a Blue Jacket. I want to continue to be a Blue Jacket and do everything I can to bring a Stanley Cup here."

Don't be surprised if this guy ends up wearing the "C" on his jersey for the next six seasons.