Mateychuk-Werenski Top Pairing: The Future of the Columbus Blue Jackets’ Defense

The Columbus Blue Jackets have spent years building toward contention, methodically assembling a defensive core capable of anchoring a playoff push. At the heart of that vision stands Zach Werenski, the franchise cornerstone who signed a six-year, $57 million extension keeping him in Columbus through 2028. But the most intriguing development emerging from the early weeks of the 2025-26 season isn’t just Werenski’s continued excellence—it’s the rapid ascension of Denton Mateychuk, who has leaped from third-pairing duties to become Werenski’s primary defensive partner. The pairing of these two dynamic defensemen represents both the present and future of the Blue Jackets’ blue line.

Mateychuk’s promotion to the top pairing represents a significant gamble by head coach Dean Evason, one that appears to be paying immediate dividends. The 2022 first-round pick, who earned NHL All-Rookie Team honors last season after posting four goals and nine assists in 45 games, has demonstrated remarkable growth in his sophomore campaign. His skating ability, offensive instincts, and improving defensive awareness have thrust him into a role few anticipated he’d occupy this quickly.

The emergence of Denton Mateychuk as a top pairing defenseman with Zach Werenski on the Columbus Blue Jackets

The transformation in Mateychuk’s game has been nothing short of remarkable. Last season, he spent most of his rookie campaign learning the NHL ropes, acclimating to the speed and physicality of professional hockey while logging sheltered minutes on the third pairing. This season, everything has accelerated. His confidence with the puck, his decision-making in transition, and crucially, his defensive positioning have all improved dramatically.

What makes Mateychuk such an intriguing partner for Werenski is his offensive skill set. The 21-year-old possesses a wicked wrist shot and powerful slap shot from the point, giving the Blue Jackets another legitimate shooting threat from the back end. His ability to join rushes, create plays through traffic, and sneak into high-danger areas has added a new dimension to Columbus’s attack. Through the early portion of the season, Mateychuk has graded out as one of the team’s top performers on a nightly basis, contributing to the Blue Jackets’ improved offensive numbers.

The pairing addresses a specific need that emerged during Columbus’s development. While Werenski is far from a defensive liability, his game thrives when he can activate offensively, jumping into plays and creating from the blue line. That requires a partner who can provide responsible coverage and make quick, intelligent reads when defending. Dante Fabbro filled that role admirably last season, helping Werenski produce career-best offensive numbers. But the coaching staff believes Mateychuk can offer something even more valuable—elite offensive ability paired with developing defensive reliability.

According to The Hockey Writers, Mateychuk’s understanding of the defensive zone and his ability to anchor deep in his own end have been the biggest areas of improvement. He’s learning to play a quick, physical game that complements his natural skill, traits that make him more than capable of handling top-pairing responsibilities despite his youth. His progression has been accelerated by necessity—the Blue Jackets need this pairing to work if they’re going to compete in a tough Metropolitan Division.

The decision to elevate Mateychuk came during a game against Tampa Bay Lightning, when Evason made a bold move to shake up his defensive pairs. Fabbro, who had been Werenski’s partner for much of the previous season, was dropped to the third pairing, while Mateychuk jumped to the top unit. It was a statement about merit and performance, and Mateychuk responded by helping the Blue Jackets secure a 3-2 victory. The message was clear: in Columbus, no role is guaranteed, and performance dictates playing time.

How Zach Werenski benefits from playing alongside Denton Mateychuk for the Columbus Blue Jackets

Werenski’s game is predicated on aggression and offensive involvement. The 28-year-old is one of the NHL’s premier offensive defensemen, capable of quarterbacking power plays, jumping into rushes, and creating offense from the back end. Last season, he earned First Team All-Star honors after a stellar campaign that saw him cement his status as an elite defender. His ability to read plays, distribute the puck, and contribute offensively makes him the perfect mentor for a young, skilled defenseman like Mateychuk.

What Mateychuk brings to the partnership is complementary skill. Rather than simply playing a stay-at-home role, Mateychuk can push the pace in transition, support Werenski’s offensive forays, and create a dynamic duo capable of overwhelming opponents with skill. This differs from the Werenski-Fabbro pairing, which was predicated more on Fabbro’s defensive reliability allowing Werenski freedom. The Werenski-Mateychuk combination aims for something more ambitious—two offensive threats capable of controlling play at both ends.

The chemistry between the two has been evident in the Blue Jackets’ early-season performance. Columbus has shown improved puck possession numbers and more sustained offensive pressure, with the top pairing contributing significantly to that improvement. Werenski’s experience and poise help settle Mateychuk when the game intensifies, while Mateychuk’s energy and skill give Werenski a capable partner who can keep up with his pace.

Werenski’s contract extension underscores his importance to the franchise’s long-term plans. At nearly $9.5 million per season, he’s being paid like a true number-one defenseman, and the Blue Jackets are building their defensive structure around him. Having Mateychuk develop into a legitimate top-pairing partner would be transformative for the organization, potentially giving them one of the league’s most dynamic defensive duos for years to come.

The developmental curve for Mateychuk has been steep, but the rewards could be substantial. Few rookies transition directly into top-pairing roles, and even fewer do so with the level of responsibility Mateychuk is now carrying. His willingness to embrace the challenge, combined with his natural talent, suggests the Blue Jackets may have found the perfect running mate for their franchise defenseman.

Challenges facing Denton Mateychuk and Zach Werenski as a top pairing for the Columbus Blue Jackets

Despite the early success, significant challenges remain. Mateychuk is still just 21 years old and in his second NHL season. The learning curve for top-pairing defensemen is notoriously steep, and opponents will inevitably test his defensive awareness and physicality. The Metropolitan Division features some of the league’s most talented forwards, from Carolina’s dynamic attackers to New Jersey’s speed merchants. Mateychuk will face matchup assignments against elite competition every night.

The defensive responsibilities inherent in a top-pairing role are substantial. While Mateychuk’s offensive game has always been his calling card—dating back to his days with the Moose Jaw Warriors of the WHL, where he was a two-time East Division First All-Star Team selection—the NHL demands more complete play. He must continue developing his gap control, his physical strength in battles along the boards, and his decision-making under pressure. These are areas where Fabbro excelled, and why he was such a successful partner for Werenski last season.

The Athletic recently noted that Evason is willing to make aggressive lineup changes when performance dips. The Blue Jackets missed the playoffs last season despite showing flashes of competitiveness, and the coaching staff won’t accept complacency. If the Mateychuk-Werenski pairing struggles, Evason has shown he won’t hesitate to make adjustments. This creates pressure on Mateychuk to maintain his elevated level of play.

The penalty kill presents another concern. The Blue Jackets have allowed eight power-play goals in their first five games, a troubling rate that threatens to undermine their overall defensive improvement. While Mateychuk’s offensive contributions are valuable, top-pairing defensemen must also excel in all situations, including shorthanded scenarios. His development in this area will be crucial to his long-term success in the role.

There’s also the simple matter of sustainability. Playing top-pairing minutes against elite competition is physically and mentally demanding, especially for a young player. Mateychuk averaged limited ice time as a rookie; now he’s being asked to handle significantly more responsibility. Managing his workload, keeping him fresh, and ensuring he doesn’t hit the proverbial sophomore wall will be important considerations for the coaching staff as the season progresses.

The dynamic between Werenski and Mateychuk also requires continued refinement. While both players possess offensive skill, they must develop the on-ice chemistry and communication that defines elite defensive pairings. This takes time, repetition, and trust. Werenski needs to feel confident that Mateychuk will be in the right position when he activates offensively, while Mateychuk must trust Werenski’s reads and instincts.

What the Mateychuk-Werenski pairing means for the Columbus Blue Jackets’ future

If this partnership works, the implications for Columbus are profound. The Blue Jackets would possess one of the league’s most dynamic top pairings, anchored by a established star in his prime paired with an ascending young talent. This combination would address one of the franchise’s long-standing needs—a true number-one defensive unit capable of competing with the elite pairings around the NHL.

The financial implications are also significant. Mateychuk is still on his entry-level contract, providing tremendous value for the production he’s delivering. This allows the Blue Jackets flexibility to invest in other areas of the roster while building around their young core. When Mateychuk eventually signs his next contract, having proven himself as a top-pairing defender will obviously increase his market value, but the Blue Jackets will have secured years of cost-controlled excellence from a premium asset.

The rest of Columbus’s defensive structure benefits as well. With Mateychuk and Werenski handling top competition, the second pairing of Ivan Provorov and Damon Severson can focus on shutting down opponents’ secondary scoring lines. Severson in particular has thrived in a more comfortable role this season after struggling late last year, posting a plus-four rating through five games while playing with renewed confidence. The third pairing gains depth and reduces pressure, creating a more balanced overall defensive unit.

Mateychuk’s success also validates the Blue Jackets’ drafting and development process. Selected 12th overall in 2022, he’s progressing faster than many anticipated, a testament both to his work ethic and the organization’s player development infrastructure. His path through the AHL with the Cleveland Monsters—where he posted impressive offensive numbers—prepared him for NHL responsibility. The franchise’s ability to identify, draft, and develop elite defensive talent will be crucial to sustained success.

The comparison to other young, offensive defensemen around the league is inevitable. While Mateychuk may not yet be at the level of established stars like Cale Makar or Quinn Hughes, his trajectory is encouraging. He possesses similar traits—elite skating, offensive creativity, improving defensive awareness—that could allow him to develop into that caliber of player. Having Werenski as a mentor and partner accelerates that development, providing a veteran presence who understands the demands of playing elite minutes.

Looking ahead, the Blue Jackets face a critical juncture in their franchise arc. Years of rebuilding and development have produced a talented young core, but the time has come to translate that potential into playoff success. The Mateychuk-Werenski pairing represents a cornerstone of those ambitions. If they can continue developing chemistry and maintain their strong play, Columbus will possess the type of dynamic, two-way defensive pairing that championship contenders require. The early returns are promising, suggesting the Blue Jackets may have found the final piece in their defensive puzzle—and that piece is just beginning to reveal its full potential.