Insider Lists 3 Teams to Watch in Potential Zach Werenski Sweepstakes 

This NHL offseason has been entertaining to keep track of, with several big-name players having their names tossed around in trade speculation. The most recent name that has been mentioned in trade talks is Columbus Blue Jackets‘ defender Zach Werenski, who is coming off a strong campaign where he ended up winning the Norris Trophy.

In recent days, there was speculation that Werenski could be open to being traded, and that seems to be the case at this point. While he hasn’t requested a trade or given the Blue Jackets a list of teams he would prefer to be traded to, it sounds like he hasn’t committed to extending with the past his current contract.

Nothing imminent, but the Blue Jackets have started listening to teams calling on Zach Werenski, sources confirm. The CBJ are aware that the Norris Trophy winner is unlikely to extend past his deal. No guarantee he’s dealt this summer but Jackets’ best deal could be now versus…

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 26, 2026

Werenski, who is 28 years old, scored 22 goals and added 59 assists for 81 points through 75 games last season. Throughout his career, he has scored 135 goals and added 330 assists for 465 points through 642 games.

LeBrun added that there will be plenty of teams that have interest in Werenski, but mentioned three teams specifically that will be teams to monitor. He mentioned the Philadelphia Flyers, Dallas Stars, and Carolina Hurricanes.

There will be at least a dozen teams who will inquire over time but some early teams to monitor with interest in Zach Werenski: Dallas, Carolina and Philadelphia. https://t.co/mE0h0Pa2T0

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 27, 2026

All three of those teams are trying to contend next season, so they make sense as potential fits, but it is safe to assume any trade to any of those three teams would include a monstrous trade return to the Blue Jackets.

What Could a Trade Look Like?

Any trade for Werenski would be a blockbuster deal, and would likely include two first-round picks, a prospect, and an NHL-ready player.

From the Flyers, it’s hard to imagine they would want to trade Matvei Michkov as part of any trade package for Werenski, but the Blue Jackets would likely push to try and have him involvved in the return. In any deal, attaching Michkov could give the Flyers the strongest trade package, would be very important in what would become a bidding war for Werenski.

For the Hurricanes, they are coming off of a Stanley Cup win and are looking to try and win it again. They might have some trouble getting around the red hot Florida Panthers, but adding Werenski to their already strong blue line could be the final piece of the puzzle to turn them into a dynasty.

The Dallas Stars are an interesting fit, since they seem to be in a weird position with Jason Robertson’s name making the rounds in the rumor mill, but they could remain a strong contender if they land Werenski, even if they end up losing Robertson.

All three of those teams make sense to land Werenski, and it’s hard to imagine he would have any issue being interested in playing for those teams. Of course, there will be other teams interested in bringing in Werenski, but it will take a huge return, and interest from him, for anyone to have a chance at acquring him.

Time will tell if he ends up getting traded, but if he does, whatever team lands him is getting one of the NHL’s greatest all-around defenders.

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