Zach Werenski had a deal lined up to go to the Dallas Stars. Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell found a return he liked, put it in front of the Norris Trophy winner, and waited for the green light. Instead, Werenski said no.
The defenseman never formally asked for a trade this offseason despite the noise around him. That noise got loud after he won the Norris and with two years left on a deal that pays him $9.5 million annually. When reports surfaced that he wouldn’t sign an extension in Columbus, the rumor mill kicked into overdrive. But Werenski and the Blue Jackets both released statements Tuesday clarifying what actually happened.
“We found something that would work for the club and took it to him. After some time and discussions with his family, Zach informed us that he didn’t want to leave Columbus,” Waddell said. “He has invested a great deal in this organization and after coming close and falling short the past two seasons, his desire is to win here and get this team back into the playoffs.”
The Stars package reportedly centered on defenseman Thomas Harley plus additional assets. Werenski wanted to stay in the Eastern Conference, but it turns out he wanted to stay in Ohio specifically.
“Don and I have had very open and honest dialogue since the season ended,” Werenski said in his own statement. “Ideally, this wouldn’t have become such a public thing but that is the world we live in now and everything got blown out of proportion in my opinion. I want to win and I want to do that in Columbus.”
Context is important here. Other members of Team USA’s Olympic squad have pushed for trades this summer, and a lot of people assumed Werenski was next. He signed his six-year, $57.5 million deal before the 2022-23 season, so he’s not underpaid. But he’s also not getting any younger, and the Blue Jackets haven’t been close to a real run lately.
Waddell confirmed the Stars report and made it clear this wasn’t a case of Columbus forcing him out. They found a deal, presented it, and let the player decide. That’s not how most trade drama goes, and it’s honestly refreshing.
If this situation flares up again at the deadline or next summer, plenty of Eastern Conference teams will line up. Werenski is a number one defenseman who can anchor a power play and log 25 minutes a night. But for now, he’s staying put. And he said it himself — he wants to win in Columbus. That’s not something you hear every day from a star player on a team that’s been stuck in neutral.
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