Elliotte Friedman weighs in on Maple Leafs' Zach Werenski pursuit - "100% believe Toronto will try"
Columbus is also open to moving Kent Johnson, whose trade value may be a third- or fourth-round pick, Seravalli said.
- Industry reports indicate the Toronto Maple Leafs will try to acquire Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Zach Werenski from the Columbus Blue Jackets, generating excitement among fans about a potential blockbuster trade.
- As of Monday, NHL insider Frank Seravalli reported Columbus Blue Jackets forward Kent Johnson is available via trade, signaling broader trade activity among the organization's high-profile players.
- Johnson has struggled to secure a role behind Adam Fantilli, Sean Monahan, and Charlie Coyle since 2021, rendering the 23-year-old forward expendable despite being drafted as a potential top center.
- Werenski likely wouldn't join rebuilding clubs like the San Jose Sharks or Anaheim Ducks, which lack the assets for such a deal; the situation mirrors the Dylan Larkin saga with the Detroit Red Wings.
- The Maple Leafs lack the dry powder to pull off a massive deal, requiring patience; "Most valuable asset in this entire discussion is patience," the organization noted, suggesting fans shouldn't expect a deal soon.
10 Articles
10 Articles
Maple Leafs Should Get Their Hopes Up with Werenski Just Yet
The talk surrounding Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski joining the Toronto Maple Leafs justifiably has fans excited. But Leafs Nation shouldn’t get its hopes up just yet.The process involving a Werenski trade in Columbus will likely be a slow-moving one. A good comparable would be the Dylan Larkin situation. It took the Detroit Red Wings about a month to acknowledge the trade request, signaling a type of denial on Detroit’s part.A s…
What teams should be all-in for Zach Werenski?
The Maple Leafs did not qualify Matias Maccelli and now have nearly $21 million in cap space. TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button joins SC with Jay Onrait to share his thoughts on what Toronto should do with that cap space, which teams should be all-in on defenceman Zach Werenski and whether or not he thinks Jason Robertson is worth the price tag of four first-round picks.
Which teams could land Zach Werenski? - Daily Faceoff
It’s not often that a defending Norris Trophy winner could be available via trade, but that seems to be the case with the Columbus Blue Jackets‘ Zach Werenski. The Blue Jackets reportedly realize Werenski is unlikely to sign an extension on his deal to stay in Columbus, and are fielding trade offers so they can get something back for him before he walks in free agency. The list of teams that would like to bring in Werenski should be lengthy, but…
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