Insider Reveals Werenski’s Desired Landing Spot, Third Team Involved?

Pierre LeBrun of TSN is reporting that Zach Werenski has chosen his ideal landing spot as the Columbus Blue Jackets try to complete a trade in the next few days. While several teams are in the mix and are pitching for his services, the defenseman knows where he wants to go, and to make it work, a third team might need to get involved.

---

The Blue Jackets have reportedly pored over several offers and looked at different scenarios. The Philadelphia Flyers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Dallas Stars, and Toronto Maple Leafs are all involved in discussions. However, Werenski has chosen the Lightning as his destination of choice.

“Whether or not there’s a trade with Tampa Bay that would satisfy Columbus is another factor altogether. Does that require a third team getting involved?”

Right now, the Stars are open to trading Thomas Harley for Werenski. “That could be enticing,” says LeBrun. The Maple Leafs would include Matthew Knies in any deal with the Blue Jackets. LeBrun doesn’t believe that’s enough. “Matthew Knies would be part of any package that Columbus would look at, but again, I don’t know if the Leafs have enough assets to entice the Blue Jackets.”

Related: Why a Werenski Blockbuster Actually Makes Sense for Both Dallas and Columbus

LeBrun adds that Philadelphia wants in badly on Zach Werenski.”

Blue Jackets Will Only Trade For Players

The Blue Jackets are not looking to make a futures deal. They want to make a hockey trade and get a player or players back in the trade that will keep them from having to begin a rebuild. “That’s not easy to do,” says LeBrun.

So, of the teams that are in the mix, or the others not listed by LeBrun, who has the best player they can give back to Columbus without crippling their own team? Interestingly, LeBrun didn’t mention a name coming back from Tampa. Who they would give in a trade or to a third team to help facilitate the deal is unclear. Would one of these clubs swap futures with the Lightning to make this deal work? Or, would the Lightning trade picks to get a player that Columbus has eyes on, then flip that player to the Blue Jackets?

The Lightning don’t have a first or a third in 2027.

Next: Two West Contenders May Be Waiting on Possibility of Matthews or McDavid