- Elliotte Friedman says he “100%” believes the Maple Leafs will try to trade for Zach Werenski
- The reigning Norris Trophy winner holds a full no-trade clause and total control over where he lands
- Read below for Friedman’s full take and what a Werenski deal would cost Toronto
Zach Werenski is the best defenseman in hockey right now, and Elliotte Friedman expects Toronto to chase him.
Friedman got into the Werenski situation on Monday’s 32 Thoughts podcast and put the Maple Leafs near the front of the line.
“I do think Toronto will try. I do 100% believe that Toronto will try,” Friedman said.
Here is Friedman’s Monday morning podcast:
He tied it to where the Leafs are in their window. Toronto is all-in for the two years Auston Matthews is still under contract, and a top-pair defenseman is the kind of swing a win-now team makes.
The catch is that Werenski runs the show. He has a full no-trade clause and total control over his destination, and Toronto is reportedly one of the few spots he would sign off on.
That control is why Columbus holds the leverage. The Blue Jackets are not moving a franchise defenseman for picks and prospects alone, so if the Leafs are serious, the price is going to sting. Toronto already freed up some money and a roster spot by shipping Brandon Carlo to St. Louis.
Werenski is coming off the best season of his career. He put up 22 goals and 81 points in 75 games and ran away with the Norris, pulling 113 first-place votes ahead of Cale Makar and Rasmus Dahlin.
Watch the moment Werenski found out he won the Norris:
He is also the first defenseman in Blue Jackets history to win the award, and he did it while leading Columbus in scoring for a second straight season.
The Leafs are not the only team kicking tires either. Stars, Flyers and Hurricanes have all been linked to Werenski, so Toronto would have plenty of company if Columbus ever decides to listen.
Werenski stays in Columbus until that changes, but Friedman made it clear the Maple Leafs plan to find out what it takes.
