The Dallas Stars have been quietly circling Zach Werenski for a while now, and a major new detail just surfaced about what it might take to get him.
According to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, the Stars are genuinely interested in the Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman. But here’s the part that got people talking. Friedman mentioned that Thomas Harley’s name keeps coming up in trade chatter, and he thinks that might be the centerpiece of any deal.
“I really do think Dallas is interested in Werenski and I don’t know if this is the case but there are lots of rumours about Thomas Harley,” Friedman said. He added: “I find it hard to believe there’s a better trade out there for Columbus, if it’s real, than Thomas Harley.”
Why Harley Matters Here
Harley was the 18th overall pick in 2019, and he’s quietly turned into a legit top-four defenseman. Since breaking into the league full-time in 2023-24, he’s put up 15-plus goals twice and at least 30 assists in each of the last three seasons. He also made Canada’s 2026 Winter Olympic team. That’s not nothing for a guy who’s still only 24.
If Columbus is serious about moving Werenski — and there’s no guarantee they are — getting Harley back would be a massive win. He’s young, cost-controlled, and already producing at a high level. That’s the kind of return that lets you rebuild without completely bottoming out.
But Friedman didn’t stop there. He also floated the idea that Dallas might not stop with just one big addition.
Could Dylan Larkin Be Next?
“The one thing about Dallas is part of me has wondered if the team can pull off both guys, Werenski and Larkin are really tight. Is there a team that could do both?” Friedman said.
That’s the part that makes this whole thing feel a little wild. Adding Werenski alone would give the Stars one of the best defensive pairings in the league alongside Miro Heiskanen. But if they also landed Dylan Larkin, their top six suddenly looks ridiculous — Mikko Rantanen, Tyler Seguin, Roope Hintz, Wyatt Johnston, Jason Robertson (if he stays), and Larkin. That’s a lot of firepower.
The Stars choked in the first round of the 2026 playoffs after reaching the conference finals three years in a row. Something clearly needs to change. Moving Robertson is an option, but even without him, a lineup with Werenski and Larkin might be enough to get back to the Cup Final.
None of this is done yet. The Blue Jackets haven’t said they’re shopping Werenski, and Larkin is under contract in Detroit. But the fact that Dallas is even having these conversations tells you they’re not satisfied with just being competitive. They want to win now.
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