Dean Evason thought back to the first time he met Zach Werenski when he joined the "NHL @TheRink" podcast on Wednesday.

Evason had just been hired as Columbus Blue Jackets coach and he set up a 1-on-1 meeting with Werenski, their top defenseman .

"He said, 'I need to be pushed. Push me. You can do whatever you want. Yell, scream, I will react the same way regardless,'" Evason said. "I haven't had to do a bloody thing, to be honest with you."

Evason will have Werenski written on his lineup card for the 108th time Thursday, when the Blue Jackets host the Detroit Red Wings at Nationwide Arena (7:30 p.m. ET; HULU, ESPN+).

Werenski has delivered on a consistent basis in each of the 107 games he has played since Evason became his coach. He is second among all NHL defensemen in that time

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