The Columbus Blue Jackets finished the 2014-15 season on a 15-1-1 run, and somehow still missed the playoffs by 9 points. That fun – albeit meaningless – run basically took them out of the Connor McDavid sweepstakes, as they landed the eighth overall pick. The Blue Jackets were unable to land the generational, franchise-altering center, but did manage to snag a cornerstone defenseman. GM Jarmo Kekalainen selected 17-year-old defenseman Zach Werenski from the University of Michigan after an outstanding freshman season.
Werenski stayed in Michigan for his sophomore season, where he was a point-per-game player, posting 11 goals and 25 assists for 36 points, on his way to being named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year as well as an AHCA First Team All-American.