- Zach Werenski used his no-move clause to kill a trade that would have sent him to the Dallas Stars
- Stars defenseman Thomas Harley was reportedly the centerpiece of Columbus’ return
- Read below for why Werenski wants to stay East and which teams are still circling
Zach Werenski had a trade to Dallas lined up.
He said no.
Chris Johnston of The Athletic reported Tuesday night that the Blue Jackets and Stars had a deal in place to send the reigning Norris Trophy winner to Dallas. Werenski wouldn’t waive his no-movement clause to let it go through.
Columbus had found a taker. Darren Dreger said Dallas was the team that stepped up with an offer the Jackets were willing to work with. The sticking point was Werenski, who wants to stay in the Eastern Conference.
The return would have been real. David Pagnotta reported that Harley was believed to be part of the package coming back to Columbus. Dallas locked up the 24-year-old with an eight-year extension worth $10.6 million per season last October, and he put up 36 points in 70 games this past season.
Pagnotta added that Tampa Bay is still engaged in talks, with Philadelphia in the mix earlier in the night.
We already covered Pierre LeBrun pegging the Lightning as Werenski’s preferred destination. Johnston listed both Tampa and Toronto as agreeable landing spots if a deal comes together.
Werenski told Columbus back in April that he would play out his contract but wasn’t going to commit to an extension. He’s signed through 2027-28 at a cap hit just above $9.5 million, and that full no-move clause hands him the final say on any deal.
He earned that leverage. Werenski racked up 22 goals and 81 points in 75 games on his way to a first Norris Trophy, then won Olympic gold with Team USA in February.
Dallas swung big and missed. Columbus now needs an Eastern trade partner if it wants to move him at all.
