COLUMBUS, Ohio — General manager Don Waddell is spending much of his time looking for immediate roster help for the Columbus Blue Jackets — not just a top-six or top-nine forward with some scoring punch, but a third-pair defenseman.But there’s a bigger story that continues to percolate with the Blue Jackets.Waddell offered little insight in a news conference on Thursday, but yet confirmed that the Columbus future of Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Zach Werenski is very much up in the air.Asked pointedly if Werenski has requested a trade, or has made it clear to the Blue Jackets that he doesn’t plan on staying with the club after his current contract expires following the 2027-28 season, Waddell demurred.“I think, for right now, there are some matters we’re dealing with that should probably stay internal,” Waddell said. “My plan is still to meet with Zach in the near future and see where he’s at.“We’ve had conversations with his agent, but there’s been no definitive plan for sure.”Werenski has made it clear in public comments that his successes playing for the United States internationally — at the 4 Nations Face-Off, the IIHF World Championships and, most recently, at the Olympics — has rekindled his passion for winning, especially at the NHL level.The Blue Jackets made the playoffs in Werenski’s first four NHL seasons, but have missed the postseason for six straight seasons, tied for the third-longest active streak in the league.Maybe Werenski is waiting to see what improvements Waddell is able to make this offseason before committing beyond his current contract?“That plays a part in it,” Waddell said. “(The meeting is) more of ‘Do you want to play here long term?’“Obviously, we can’t get into contract (talks) because he still has two years left, but I want to get a good sense of where he’s at. We’ll see where he’s at and take it from there.”