Zach Werenski appears to be on his way out of the door in Columbus, but his inevitable landing spot is not going to be with the Dallas Stars.
The long-time Blue Jackets alternate captain and most recent Norris Trophy recipient declined to waive his no-movement clause to complete a trade to the Stars on Wednesday. According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the Blue Jackets and Stars had reached a “verbal agreement” on a trade, but Werenski vetoed the deal when it was brought to him for sign-off.
“Apparently, the calendar needed to flip to July 1 before it could happen, due to contractual and/or cap reasons,” Friedman writes. “Thomas Harley was to be the centrepiece of the return, but other players/picks may have been involved, too.
Werenski’s decision appears to indicate two things: that his preference — for now — is the Eastern Conference, and that the relationship between player and the Blue Jackets is falling apart in what could be its final days.”
The 28-year-old, left-shot defender is coming off his second straight season recording at least 80 points, notching 81 (22g, 59a) in 75 games. Werenski finished second in scoring among all blueliners, tied for third in goals, and led all defensemen in shots on goal (260). He was also second in the NHL in ice time per game (26:37).
Werenski’s future in Columbus came into question when the star rearguard reportedly said he’d play out the final two years of his contract with the Blue Jackets but would not commit to signing an extension. He is signed through the 2027-28 campaign at a cap hit slightly over $9.5 million and will be eligible to sign an extension next summer.
While the Blue Jackets are now certainly in a tenuous situation with their most valuable asset, so too are the Dallas Stars with some of their top players. General manager Jim Nill showed his hand, displaying a willingness to deal defenseman Thomas Harley, which he likely did not think would find its way onto the hot stove without a trade being completed.
The Stars are also already dealing with complicated negotiations surrounding star winger Jason Robertson. The club is attempting to get Robertson to compromise on his contract demands after he kiboshed a trade to the Seattle Kraken by declining to sign an extension with the team.
