Zach Werenski is still a Columbus Blue Jacket, but we surely haven’t heard the last of this story.
The 2025-26 Norris Trophy winner declined a trade to the Dallas Stars, was then open to joining the Toronto Maple Leafs or Tampa Bay Lightning, but ultimately remained in Columbus through it all, though nobody knows how long that will last.
Both the Maple Leafs and Lightning reportedly had massive interest in Werenski, however, according to insider Chris Johnston, neither came all that close to acquiring him because the Blue Jackets weren’t fond of their trade offers.
“I don’t think it was that close in the sense that Columbus never liked what either of those teams (Toronto, Tampa Bay) could put on the table and it was basically presented to Zach as it’s Dallas or Columbus and he didn’t want to go to Dallas so it leads him back to Columbus… He was willing to go to Toronto and Tampa, I think those teams considered it a top organizational priority to get him but they didn’t have something like Thomas Harley to offer up,”
The 28-year-old Werenski has two years left 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 played last season.
Dallas’ proposed trade for Werenski notably would have included young star defenseman Thomas Harley, creating a baseline for Columbus to seek out a player of that caliber in any return package.
From Toronto’s perspective, Matthew Knies is the only real comparable, although they reportedly weren’t including him in their offers. On the other hand, Tampa Bay would have been limited to more of a prospects-and-picks package, which the Blue Jackets didn’t want.
It was a roller-coaster ride of a few days for everyone involved, and you can be sure the hockey world will be keeping a close eye on how Werenski and Columbus begin the 2026-27 season, because these conversations could re-emerge very quickly if they start slow.
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