Werenski Open to Returning to Blue Jackets, Trade Not on Radar

So much for the Zach Werenski trade watch. With speculation everywhere that the Columbus Blue Jackets might have been on the verge of trading the Norris Trophy winner, word now is that cooler heads have prevailed, the two sides have talked, and a trade doesn’t seem imminent.

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For fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning, this might come as unfortunate news.

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

According to Darren Dreger: “Sounds like Werenski, his agent Judd Moldaver, and CBJ GM Don Waddell spoke today in an effort to clear the air and calm things down. Werenski is comfortable going back to CBJ. Waddell could present him with a trade in the meantime, but that isn’t on the radar at this point.”

Things have taken dramatic shifts over the past few days. The Dallas Stars and Blue Jackets agreed in principle on a trade this week. But Werenski has a full no-movement clause and used it to reject the trade to Dallas.

It was then said that Tampa and Toronto were his two preferred landing spots, with Elliotte Friedman reporting that things between the Blue Jackets and Werenski had gotten testy. There was talk that he would shoot down any trades brought his way. Perhaps that’s still the case, which could explain the sudden news he’s open to returning, but this is a story worth keeping an eye on.

It does sound like Werenski is open to joining the Maple Leafs, and that Matthew Knies might not have to go back in the deal. However, it’s unclear what offer was made, if any.

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