Maple Leafs Catch Two Big Breaks on the Zach Werenski Trade Front

The Toronto Maple Leafs got great news regarding their potential to land defenseman Zach Werenski in a trade. First, he’s not just open to going there, but he’s made them a top landing spot. Second, the Leafs might not have to give up their best asset to acquire Werenski.

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First, the star Columbus defenseman isn’t just open to a move to Toronto — he’s reportedly made the Leafs one of his top preferred destinations if he’s traded at all. There was a report by Elliotte Friedman that Werenski is being difficult and squashing any and every trade out of spite, but the belief is that he will eventually cool down and accept a move. For a player who holds real leverage over any deal, that’s a significant green light for a Toronto front office that’s been engaged in talks.

If he’s open to being traded there, it would also be logical to assume he’d be open to signing a long-term extension.

Second, and perhaps just as important, the cost of getting a deal done might be lower than expected.

It’s been widely assumed that Matthew Knies would need to be the centerpiece of any package sent to Columbus for Werenski. But according to Darren Dreger, that assumption may not hold. As per Darren Dreger, “It’s been assumed Knies will be part of a package if Toronto lands Zach Werenski. See how things develop, but there’s a chance the Leafs won’t have to give up the power forward if this trade comes together.”

That would be a significant break for Toronto, which would be willing to move Knies, but doesn’t really want to. He is an asset as a physical, net-front complement on a team-friendly long-term contract. Being able to add a true No. 1 defenseman without surrendering a core young piece would be about as favorable an outcome as the Leafs could hope for in this negotiation.

A Werenski Deal to Toronto Is Not Done

Nothing is finalized, and Dreger’s report comes with the usual caveat that things can still change as talks progress.

Columbus will have its own asking price, and the Tampa Bay Lightning are in the mix as well. But between the player’s apparent willingness to go to Toronto and a package that might not cost the Leafs their power forward, this is about as encouraging a start as Toronto could have asked for in trade discussions.

Next: It’s Lightning or Maple Leafs as Werenski Turns Down Trade to Stars