Player Discussion: All purpose: Gold Medal & 2026 Norris Trophy Winner Zach Werenski thread (Rejects trade to DAL; May only waive for TB/TOR, maybe not at all?)

[CBJWerenski8]

You know, it's making me smile that he is getting clowned on Twitter currently.

And this is probably why his camp is so pissed. I can’t say I blame them, since considering they apparently have known his intentions since April.

Which brings me to another question. So Waddell apparently knew in some ways that Werenski was uneasy on signing in April. We know Waddell met with him for breakfast prior to the Norris trophy. But news slowly trickles out that he’s maybe wanting out. Then it accelerates around the draft. Then they planned on meeting with him after the draft to discuss the future, which he apparently agreed to. Now he doesn’t want to meet, saying we already did before.

Seems like this relationship has gotten sour real quick.

 

[MissADD]

And this is probably why his camp is so pissed. I can’t say I blame them, since considering they apparently have known his intentions since April.

Which brings me to another question. So Waddell apparently knew in some ways that Werenski was uneasy on signing in April. We know Waddell met with him for breakfast prior to the Norris trophy. But news slowly trickles out that he’s maybe wanting out. Then it accelerates around the draft. Then they planned on meeting with him after the draft to discuss the future, which he apparently agreed to. Now he doesn’t want to meet, saying we already did before.

Seems like this relationship has gotten sour real quick.

Yea, and my gut tells me that his camp leaked it and it has blown up in their face. I don't see how the CBJ leaking it helps them. Where is Z and his camp leaked it, a deal could get done faster, but the reaction hasn't gone their way and they are scrambling.

 

[Indy18]

I don’t think he likes becoming the villain.

Oh sir you are well past that point right now

 

[CBJWerenski8]

If we're trading with Toronto or Tampa, I would really try to attach the Miles Wood contract.

CBJ get: Knies, Cowan, Colorado 1st, CBJ 2nd
TOR gets: Werenski, Wood

This trade blows a hole in our defense though. It would make an offseason D upgrade a must. Not just a bottom pair guy. We would need someone to play on the second pairing while we wait on Jackson Smith to get ready.

Provorov-Severson
Mateychuk-Fabbro
??-??

But if we're trading with Tampa

CBJ get: Moser, O'Reilly, James/Goncalves/Geekie (?) 2027 2nd, 2028 1st
TB get: Werenski, Wood

Is Moser even better than Provorov? Is he just in the way of Smith in a few years? Can Moser play both sides?

Moser-Severson
Provorov-Mateychuk
??-Fabbro

 

[Aaaarrgghh]

If we're trading with Toronto or Tampa, I would really try to attach the Miles Wood contract.

CBJ get: Knies, Cowan, Colorado 1st, CBJ 2nd
TOR gets: Werenski, Wood

This trade blows a hole in our defense though. It would make an offseason D upgrade a must. Not just a bottom pair guy. We would need someone to play on the second pairing while we wait on Jackson Smith to get ready.

Provorov-Severson
Mateychuk-Fabbro
??-??

But if we're trading with Tampa

CBJ get: Moser, O'Reilly, James/Goncalves/Geekie (?) 2027 2nd, 2028 1st
TB get: Werenski, Wood

Is Moser even better than Provorov? Is he just in the way of Smith in a few years? Can Moser play both sides?

Moser-Severson
Provorov-Mateychuk
??-Fabbro

If they trade Werenski, they should use some of the return to acquire Sean Durzi from Utah, in my opinion.

Moser - Severson
Mateychuk - Durzi
Provorov - Fabbro

Something like that.

 

[OldSoul]

He’s getting wrecked on Reddit too. Stars fans super hate him like us.

deservedly so.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

If they trade Werenski, they should use some of the return to acquire Sean Durzi from Utah, in my opinion.

Moser - Severson
Mateychuk - Durzi
Provorov - Fabbro

Something like that.

I personally think I prefer the Knies deal than the Moser deal.

Bolsters the forwards. We could use Voronkov/KJ/someone else (Marchenko?) for a D upgrade.

 

[Indy18]

I personally think I prefer the Knies deal than the Moser deal.

Bolsters the forwards. We could use Voronkov/KJ/someone else (Marchenko?) for a D upgrade.

The thing is I still think Mateychuk can still be the guy but that's still 2-3 years away and now you have Smith who is either going to be expendable or needs to be a hit.

We just need a right handed shot at this point.

 

[Aaaarrgghh]

I personally think I prefer the Knies deal than the Moser deal.

Bolsters the forwards. We could use Voronkov/KJ/someone else (Marchenko?) for a D upgrade.

I prefer the Tampa option of those two. Moser broke our as a 1D last season (with some asterisks, potentially), is defensively oriented and can play both sides. I just don't like where a Knies+ for Werenski trade leaves our defence next season. I know people think we're in a good spot with Smith coming up, but the D corps really would be in a shambles for the next few seasons.

And yes, Moser is definitely better than Provorov.

 

[majormajor]

elliotte suggested florida possibly. that’s a new name that I have yet to hear.

drum up some proposals from zito’s squad.

what are we thinking?

Forsling or bust.

Unfortunately everyone on Florida has a NMC. There's absolutely zero way to make it work.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

I also don't know if the Dallas deal is completely dead either BTW. I know it says he prefers East, but Freidman also says rejecting the deal was also in part because Z's camp is livid.

Maybe sleeping on it and readjusting (or talking to Dallas maybe?) will get that deal back on track

 

[OldSoul]

I also don't know if the Dallas deal is completely dead either BTW. I know it says he prefers East, but Freidman also says rejecting the deal was also in part because Z's camp is livid.

Maybe sleeping on it and readjusting (or talking to Dallas maybe?) will get that deal back on track

the biggest question I personally want to know is, what could Z’s camp be possibly livid at? I literally don’t get it at all. this whole thing over the past month has turned into bizarre o world.

 

[majormajor]

And this is probably why his camp is so pissed. I can’t say I blame them, since considering they apparently have known his intentions since April.

Which brings me to another question. So Waddell apparently knew in some ways that Werenski was uneasy on signing in April. We know Waddell met with him for breakfast prior to the Norris trophy. But news slowly trickles out that he’s maybe wanting out. Then it accelerates around the draft. Then they planned on meeting with him after the draft to discuss the future, which he apparently agreed to. Now he doesn’t want to meet, saying we already did before.

Seems like this relationship has gotten sour real quick.

Waddell understandably wanted another meeting just in case Z was open to staying.

But the meeting timetable wasn't pushing the trade back a month. This is just when trades happen.

Z and Moldaver wanted a discreet trade process and I'm sure the Jackets did too. It just isn't possible sometimes. You have to solicit trade partners and word gets out.

Yea, and my gut tells me that his camp leaked it and it has blown up in their face. I don't see how the CBJ leaking it helps them. Where is Z and his camp leaked it, a deal could get done faster, but the reaction hasn't gone their way and they are scrambling.

Word first came out through "Werenski's name is out there" - meaning teams were asked what they would offer for him. Some of those clubs leaked it out, maybe the GMs are dicks or maybe they have leakers.

 

[majormajor]

the biggest question I personally want to know is, what could Z’s camp be possibly livid at? I literally don’t get it at all. this whole thing over the past month has turned into bizarre o world.

They're mad at Ol' Molasses Don for slow walking this and the wait is turning Z into the villain. He told Don his plans ten weeks ago.

I personally don't blame Don at all for this but I think that's what they're mad about.

 

[Aaaarrgghh]

Unfortunately everyone on Florida has a NMC. There's absolutely zero way to make it work.

Except Lundell and Devine.

But I really have a hard time seeing a D not be the main piece coming back.