Dylan Larkin requesting a trade out of Detroit has sparked mass speculation about which star NHL player could be next to ask to be moved from their current situation.
An interesting name that has started to percolate in recent days is Larkin’s good friend and fellow American, Zach Werenski. The Columbus Blue Jackets have not been a contender for the majority of the superstar defenseman’s career and still aren’t, which naturally raises questions about his long-term future with the team.
According to insider Pierre LeBrun, while nothing of that nature has surfaced yet, the possibility of a trade request this summer should not be ruled out.
“There’s been much speculation about Zach Werenski in the wake of Larkin’s trade request, perhaps because they’re close friends and fellow Team USA gold medalists. But I can tell you as of Wednesday afternoon, I’m told there has not been any communication to the Columbus Blue Jackets indicating that kind of thing on Werenski, who has two more years on his deal.
Now, having said that, I’m not ready to say that it couldn’t happen before the end of the summer, either, just based on the fact that at some point the team and player will want to talk about the future and whether or not he sees himself in Columbus long term. And I don’t know what the answer to that question would be,”
The 28-year-old Werenski has two years remaining on the six-year, $57.5 million contract extension he signed with the Blue Jackets back in 2021. He racked up 81 points (22 goals, 59 assists) in 75 games this season, in which he also won the Norris Trophy.
Werenski potentially becoming available on the trade market would be league-altering — a situation similar to Quinn Hughes being dealt from Vancouver to Minnesota this year.
As LeBrun notes, there has been no clear indication that Werenski wants to leave Columbus, but given the term remaining on his deal, the state of the Blue Jackets, and the increased player empowerment around the NHL, this is absolutely something to keep an eye on.
Next: Insider Tempers Gavin McKenna Expectations: No Celebrini, Schaefer, or Even Bedard?
