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

The Columbus Blue Jackets have a Norris Trophy winner who doesn’t want to stay long-term, and the Dallas Stars have exactly the kind of tradeable asset that could get a deal done. Given that most teams involved in the Werenski trade might face hurdles and obstacles to navigate, this blockbuster might be among the easier trades to pull off.

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Why Werenski to the Stars Works

Zach Werenski just won his first Norris Trophy, posting 22 goals and 81 points in 75 games. He’s 28, signed for two more years at a $9.5 million cap hit, and according to NHL insiders like Elliotte Friedman, Darren Dreger, and Pierre LeBrun, among others, the Stars are interested.

Dreger has specifically flagged the Stars as a team to watch in the Werenski sweepstakes.

As Shayna Goldman and Aaron Portzline of The Athletic point out, the Stars don’t need Werenski. They already roll out Miro Heiskanen and Thomas Harley, two of the better young defensemen in hockey. But “good” can always be better. Werenski would make the team better, even if one of those two were traded.

As a true No. 1 defenseman who can eat heavy minutes, run a power play, and tilt play in his team’s favor at five-on-five, Werenski would be a real upgrade. If the Stars were to move Harley in the deal, they’d be trading back an excellent defenseman to the Blue Jackets, and saving money.

“Harley’s eight-year extension kicks in this upcoming season, and there are rising costs to consider in the long term with Werenski up in two years and Heiskanen the following summer. But in the interim, it would actually save the Stars about $1 million in cap space, and Dallas could use every penny available with the Jason Robertson situation still looming,” writes Portzline and Goldman.

The Blue Jackets would like Harley. He’s a step down, but not a huge one. He’s pricey, but he’s not overpaid. Harley also can’t control his fate thanks to a lack of trade protection. His no-move clause doesn’t kick in until 2029-30. And, the Blue Jackets could get more than just Harley, assuming Werenski is open to a long-term deal in Dallas.

Why Columbus Should Say Yes

If you’re Don Waddell, you’re not trading a generational defenseman for futures and a song. Reports indicate Waddell wants players, not just picks — and Harley is a very good player.

At just 24, he’s already a top-pair defenseman and locked up long-term. That timeline lines up well with a Columbus team that’s likely entering a new era post-Werenski. For a team that has suffered a number of tough blows, getting a solid defenseman on a long-term deal is a win. The Blue Jackets can try to keep building around him or pivot if needed.

This isn’t a trade either team has to make. Dallas can compete without Werenski, and Columbus can take one of the many other offers they are bound to get. But both sides have real incentives pointing toward “yes” — Dallas gets a difference-maker to finally break through in the playoffs, and Columbus gets a long-term, controllable building block as it pivots away from a star who’s already mentally moved on.

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