- Pierre LeBrun says the Lightning are Zach Werenski’s preferred trade destination
- Columbus is listening on the reigning Norris winner and wants roster help, not picks
- Read below for the other teams circling and what Werenski’s no-move clause means
The Zach Werenski trade saga has a frontrunner.
Pierre LeBrun reported on Monday’s Insider Trading that the Tampa Bay Lightning are Werenski’s team of choice. The Blue Jackets are listening to offers on the reigning Norris Trophy winner, who looks unlikely to sign another extension in Columbus.
Here’s the Insider Trading rundown:
Columbus general manager Don Waddell isn’t looking to cash out for futures. LeBrun says the Jackets want a deal that helps their current roster, not one built around picks and prospects.
Werenski still has two years left on his deal, carrying a cap hit just above $9.5 million through 2027-28. He also holds a full no-movement clause, so nothing moves unless he signs off on it. That gives the 28-year-old real say in where he lands.
Tampa isn’t alone in wanting him. The Dallas Stars and Toronto Maple Leafs remain in the mix, and LeBrun says the Philadelphia Flyers badly want to get a deal done.
TSN’s Chris Johnston broke down Werenski’s odds of actually moving:
Werenski is coming off the best season of his career. He put up 22 goals and 81 points in 75 games to win the Norris as the league’s top defenseman for the first time, then added Olympic gold with Team USA in February.
The Jackets drafted him eighth overall in 2015, and he’s given them 465 points across 642 games. Moving a homegrown Norris winner is a heavy call, but Columbus would rather deal him now than watch him walk for nothing. The Lightning already emerged as a suitor last week.
With free agency opening July 1, Waddell holds plenty of leverage and a star defenseman who knows exactly where he wants to go.
