NHL Rumors: Could the Noise Surrounding Zach Werenski Pick Up Again

This summer, there was a lot of noise around Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski. Reports indicated that Werenski, after tasting Gold with Team USA at the 2026 Olympics, felt he couldn’t win in Columbus and wasn’t planning to re-sign when his contract was up in two years.

That sparked a debate about whether or not he wanted to be traded and wanted out of Columbus. Things got to the point where he was traded to the Dallas Stars, but that was vetoed. There were talks that the Toronto Maple Leafs were interested in acquiring him, as Werenski would have waived his no-trade clause to go to Canada and play with Austin Matthews.

Again, Zach Werenski never indicated he wanted a trade; he was just unsure of his future, especially if the team was heading in a similar direction. However, Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell and Zach Werenski discussed it, and cooler heads prevailed as both issued statements saying this is where the player wanted to be.

But this is a big year for the Columbus Blue Jackets given they missed the playoffs the last couple of seasons. They were right there the last two seasons. Columbus hopes the return of Matthew Knies, Emil Andrea, and Steven Lorentz, but mostly Knies for Kirill Marchenko, will show Werenski the Blue Jackets are serious about winning.

Waddell held out for his price for a reason. But the question remains: what’s next for Zach Werenski? What happens if the team struggles and doesn’t make the playoffs? What then, given he is eligible for an extension next July 1?

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During an appearance on TSN Radio in Montreal with Simon Tsalikis and Peter Vryonis, Full Press Hockey’s Jim Biringer was asked about Zach Werenski’s future with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Full Press Media Transcriptions

Simon Tsalikis: “Jim, one more here. Just months ago, they were all saying the wrong things, and we fast-forward, and they’re all saying the right things, and that’s Zach Werenski and the Columbus Blue Jackets. He’s going to start the season there. It seems like, you know, he’s saying all the right things. But when you look at the Columbus Blue Jackets going forward, I think that division got a little bit better this year. I’m not certain that I would pencil them into a playoff spot. If this goes sour here, do you expect Zach Werenski’s name to be back among the NHL rumours by the time we roll up to Christmas?”

Jim Biringer: “Yeah, I mean, I expected that if they’re not in the playoffs by the trade deadline, I expect this song and dance to go through again. I expect the story of Columbus needs to be in the playoffs, Zach Werenski’s name out there right now. Everything is, you know, water under the bridge. He talked to the media a couple of weeks ago. Now he said he wanted to be in Columbus, and again, you go through the process of your name being out in the media, the rumour mill. He was effectively traded to the Dallas Stars, but he blocked it because of his no-trade clause.

Don Waddell called his bluff and said, “Okay, you want out? Fine, we’re going to trade you to the Dallas Stars. And Thomas Hartley was going back the other way, but he’s like, “No, no, no, I want to be here. They worked it out; they hashed it out with Don Waddell and Rick Bowness.

But it’s a big year in Columbus. This team needs to take a next step. They need to show progress. They need to be close to the playoffs, if not in the playoffs, because if it’s a bad season in Columbus, you know the rumors won’t go away.

Zach Werenski’s name will continue to keep popping up. That name will continue to be. He’s a top defenseman in the league for a reason. These guys want to go win. Team USA Group Chat is probably still blowing up from the Olympics. These guys want to play together and want to win. I would not be shocked if his name is in the rumour mill again come the trade deadline, maybe sooner. All depends on their record.”

Again, this is a big year for the Columbus Blue Jackets. Making the playoffs is a non-negotiable, as Adam Fantilli said after signing his new six-year deal. Zach Werenski’s future will be determined not only by how he helps the team, but by how the team does.

Is this story over? That will all depend on how the season plays out.

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