Werenski, one of 10 Columbus players made available to the media Tuesday, less than 24 hours after being eliminated by the Washington Capitals in six games in the Eastern Conference First Round, said he never fully recovered after he was injured Oct. 30 against the Boston Bruins.

COLUMBUS -- Zach Werenski played most of the season for the Columbus Blue Jackets with an undisclosed injury.

"I can think every night I go out there I'm 100 percent, but the truth is I wasn't," said the 20-year-old defenseman, who had 37 points (16 goals, 21 assists) and a plus-8 rating in 77 games. "It's kind of hard to accept that as a hockey player and as a competitor, but we're going to work to fix it."

Video: CBJ@WSH, Gm2: Werenski nets PPG through traffic

Werenski, who often missed practice for a maintenance day, wouldn't say whether surgery will be required.

"I don't want to talk about it right now," he said. "I still have to talk to management and trainers back there, and figure out a plan."

Captain Nick Foligno didn't feel any better after a restless night's sleep following the final game of the season.

"This stings," the forward said. "I still haven't gotten over it. I woke up today in a bad mood until my kids jumped on me. It's something that drives you as an athlete. Failure is a motivation."

The Capitals won four straight games in the best-of-7 series to advance to the second round to play the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The reality that they lost four games in a row, three at home, was difficult for the Blue Jackets to accept.

"The trajectory that this team is on in my mind, and a lot of guys in that room minds, is I still think we could have won that series," defenseman Ian Cole said. "I just have this weird feeling we should have an off day today and come back and practice tomorrow."

Forward Matt Calvert, who led the Blue Jackets with three goals in the series, responded to coach John Tortorella's comment prior to Game 6 that his season was up and down "like a toilet seat."

Video: The crew on the Blue Jackets being eliminated

"I was happy with my game this year," said Calvert, who had 24 points (nine goals, 15 assists) in 69 games and can become an unrestricted free agent July 1. "I think the only thing that was up and down like a toilet seat was my time on ice. I'd play 15 minutes one game, then eight the next game.

"I thought I brought everything I could for the amount of minutes I played. If he wants to talk about a toilet seat going up and down, maybe he keeps my minutes more steady."

Calvert, 28, said Tortorella's comment won't be a determining factor when considering playing for Columbus next season if he receives a contract offer.

"He makes some interesting comments like that," Calvert said.

The other three pending unrestricted free agents spoke of their desire to remain with the Blue Jackets. Cole and forward Thomas Vanek were acquired Feb. 26 prior to the NHL Trade Deadline, and forward Mark Letestu came in a trade from the Edmonton Oilers the day before.

"I'm a free agent again, so I'll keep my options open, but this is certainly a team, organization, city that I've been impressed with," Vanek, 34, said. "I mean, the fans are outstanding here. That surprised me a little bit how well, how good it is this city loves the Blue Jackets."

Cole, 29, said signing with the Blue Jackets is an option because he believes they have a bright future.

Video: WSH@CBJ, Gm6: Dubois scores on one-timer in the 3rd

"This is a team where it should be expected to make the playoffs every single year, no exceptions, and then what we do in the playoffs after that is what we need to figure out," he said.

Letestu, 33, and his family will soon be moving to Columbus permanently regardless of his contract situation.

"My love for the city and the organization is clear," said Letestu, who played for the Blue Jackets from 2012-15.