Zach Werenski trade update is good for Maple Leafs, Lightning, but bad for Stars

Zach Werenski trade update is good for Maple Leafs, Lightning, but bad for Stars originally appeared on The Sporting News.
Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Columbus Blue Jackets are apparently shopping Zach Werenski.

If the gold medal-winning defenseman really is traded, it could change the balance of power in the NHL.

It sounds like the Dallas Stars are interested, but news isn’t good for them.

Reports have indicated that the Stars made an offer that the Blue Jackets liked, but that Werenski didn’t want to go to Dallas:

I believe Dallas was team that stepped up and presented a trade option CBJ was willing to work with. Sounds like Werenski’s preference is to stay east. https://t.co/dm7FQmtSTB

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 1, 2026

MORE: What the Gavin McKenna pick means for the Maple Leafs

What teams could be after Werenski and actually get him?

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning are both in the running, according to the Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun:

Will reiterate again that Tampa Bay and Toronto would be among the top teams I think Werenski would accept a trade to.
But can those teams satisfy CBJ trade requirements remains to be seen. https://t.co/14sfex15qb

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 1, 2026

Both those teams could certainly use the blue line help, but that’s easy to say in this case — Werenski would make any defensive unit stronger.

Is that what makes the most sense here? It actually probably does work out OK for everyone involved, aside from the teams that don’t land Werenski at his peak. Columbus could use a return for their star, and another team will give him a chance to shine in playoff contention.

More NHL news: