Speculation: Armchair GM - 2026 CBJ Offseason Roster Moves, Rumors, and Discussion

[CBJWerenski8]

 

[Indy18]

If that was the case why did his agent come out and say “we have no f***** clue what’s going on. This wasn’t from our camp”

 

[AnonCommentary]

I just want someone to give a firm answer even though that will never happen.

I am choosing to believe Z's agent directly and the other stuff is just manufactured speculation.

 

[AnonCommentary]

If that was the case why did his agent come out and say “we have no f***** clue what’s going on. This wasn’t from our camp”

I'm thinking its just manufactured speculation on behalf of Lebrun driven by the Larkin request prior and its just heating up again with the B. Tkachuk trade.

 

[koteka]

Might just be my sense of humor but I was hoping he would say "I would need your first born son. And your second son. And your wife."

 

[Banana duck]

From what Portzline posted today it sounds like those conversations are “I want to be part of the solution” but go off LeBrun, get those clicks.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

All this being said - I’m gonna be even more pissed this season if players aren’t prepared and ready to go. There’s a lot riding on this season.

If Zach is the presumptive captain and can’t impress upon guys the importance, then one of two things (in a macro sense) is a problem.

 

[CalBuckeyeRob]

If Waddell is talking about the price of trading Werenski, he is actively trying to trade him. While I hope he stays in Columbus, I now expect him to be traded before the draft this week.

 

[Banana duck]

If Waddell is talking about the price of trading Werenski, he is actively trying to trade him. While I hope he stays in Columbus, I now expect him to be traded before the draft this week.

He’s not getting traded. This is just gripping journalism from Hedger.

 

[Ice9]

If Waddell is talking about the price of trading Werenski, he is actively trying to trade him. While I hope he stays in Columbus, I now expect him to be traded before the draft this week.

Or he knows it’s never gonna happen and he likes jerking with the media. Kinda giving them a taste of their own medicine…

 

[Crede777]

Zach Werenski's name is appearing in speculation, but there is no indication this is a pressing issue for the Blue Jackets yet. For now, Werenski is in the same type of situation as Connor McDavid or Auston Matthews, with two years left on his contract where he'll want to see the team become more of a contender. Columbus is on high alert here, and no doubt nervous about where this could go. There is smoke but, for now, Werenski is not on my trade board.

Real Kyper's Trade Board 8.0: What to expect during draft week and beyond

As we get to draft week the NHL's trade market has explosive potential for action now, and into the summer. Nick Kypreos updates his trade board with 30 players of all types who could be moved.

www.sportsnet.ca

Kypreos is basically confirming what we've been saying.

 

[AnonCommentary]

Im not shocked really. The pressure is on Don + org to show Werenski what he'd like to see. As I said earlier - just make playoffs and proceed from there.

I love Werenski and I want to improve the team but I don't want to do everything just to appease Z either. Make it make sense for the team in the first place. Don't do it for the sake of appealing to him.

 

[MissADD]

From what Portzline posted today it sounds like those conversations are “I want to be part of the solution” but go off LeBrun, get those clicks.

Maybe his part of the solution is a trade.

 

[DarkandStormy]

This organization hasn't made the playoffs since the Fake Bubble Playoffs, which will be *SEVEN* seasons ago by the time the next playoffs start.

If they need Werenski threatening to leave to make moves to improve, sure, that's good, I guess. But you also might as well just sell the franchise.

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

If Waddell is talking about the price of trading Werenski, he is actively trying to trade him. While I hope he stays in Columbus, I now expect him to be traded before the draft this week.

BS.

It's common sense. The guy is a 2 time finalist for the Norris and just won it. Of course it's going to cost an arm and a leg to get a player like that.

It also says, and I agree with this sentiment, that everyone has a price and nobody is untouchable but some people will cost a hell of a lot more than others to meet that price.

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

Make it make sense for the team in the first place. Don't do it for the sake of appealing to him.

It can be both. If it makes the team better then players have very little reason to want to leave.

Winning fixes virtually everything.

 

[CalBuckeyeRob]

Waddell's problem is that he has no obvious path to make the team appear better for next season short of a huge trade with Werenski that adds multiple NHL ready guys. Any free agent add is a Marchment replacement at best and that guy is probably worse on the ice. They have no elite prospects ready to plug in. All they can do is just hope most of the guys under 25 get better. Could happen. But that pitch isn't going to get much traction. "Hey, you know that group of players that collapsed at the end of last season? Maybe they wont collapse this year because they are older. Go Jackets!"

 

[Crede777]

Waddell's problem is that he has no obvious path to make the team appear better for next season short of a huge trade with Werenski that adds multiple NHL ready guys. Any free agent add is a Marchment replacement at best and that guy is probably worse on the ice. They have no elite prospects ready to plug in. All they can do is just hope most of the guys under 25 get better. Could happen. But that pitch isn't going to get much traction. "Hey, you know that group of players that collapsed at the end of last season? Maybe they wont collapse this year because they are older. Go Jackets!"

His path is to trade for a top-line winger like Robertson or Kyrou. Anything but Werenski, Fantilli and Marchenko need to be available for such a move.

 

[CalBuckeyeRob]

His path is to trade for a top-line winger like Robertson or Kyrou. Anything but Werenski, Fantilli and Marchenko need to be available for such a move.

Maybe Cayden Lindstrom straight up for one of them? I heard a lot of teams wanted him in the draft....

 

[Crede777]

Maybe Cayden Lindstrom straight up for one of them? I heard a lot of teams wanted him in the draft....

Whatever it takes, it needs to get done.

 

[CoachWithNoTeam]

Waddell's problem is that he has no obvious path to make the team appear better for next season short of a huge trade with Werenski that adds multiple NHL ready guys. Any free agent add is a Marchment replacement at best and that guy is probably worse on the ice. They have no elite prospects ready to plug in. All they can do is just hope most of the guys under 25 get better. Could happen. But that pitch isn't going to get much traction. "Hey, you know that group of players that collapsed at the end of last season? Maybe they wont collapse this year because they are older. Go Jackets!"

I think there’s still plenty of paths forward to improve the team this summer, we just aren’t creative enough on here and get stuck in the same trade proposal template loops. Look what Florida just got from trading Samoskevich, their 1st, and rights to a 7th grader. We have a lot more assets than that.

 

[Banana duck]

Maybe Cayden Lindstrom straight up for one of them? I heard a lot of teams wanted him in the draft....

Can’t wait for this to happen and the Lindstrom pops off and we get 17 more pages of “what was Waddell thinking!!!!” like another player that had a back injury we moved on from.

 

[stevo61]

Can’t wait for this to happen and the Lindstrom pops off and we get 17 more pages of “what was Waddell thinking!!!!” like another player that had a back injury we moved on from.

Thats more what I envision if KJ gets shipped out.

I think they see Lindstrom through to the end for better or worse though

 

[Napoli]

If Waddell is talking about the price of trading Werenski, he is actively trying to trade him. While I hope he stays in Columbus, I now expect him to be traded before the draft this week.

Nah thats a stretch.

Waddell knows he has to make moves and if he doesn't Z will be moved. Missing the playoffs every year is getting old for Z. He does everything he can to produce but he needs more help.

 

[Youngguns80]

Key Takeaways for CBJ Top-6 Fit

• Options A - Knies stands out overall: Excellent production, size, physicality, and youth make him the best long-term top-6 match. The main barrier is the high trade cost (premium assets needed). Most likely Jackson Smith or Denton Mateychuk, 14th pick +. This is worth the swing at the fences
• Option B - Tuch is strong value: Bring big size + physicality + solid production. Tuch offers proven scoring but costs more $10M+
• Option C - Marchment is the low-risk re-sign option (gritty pest who performed well for the CBJ). Re-sign Marchment if the other 2 fall through — it’s the smartest, cheapest path.
• Option D - McTavish is a solid young project: Good size and skill with upside, but production was lower this year, but will cost assets.
• Option Not an Option - DeBrusk and Kyrou lag for this roster: DeBrusk offers value but less size/physicality and not a play driver. Kyrou brings elite speed/skating and skill but is smaller, less physical, more expensive, and harder to acquire (NTC + down year).

Knies edges it for pure top-6 impact, but Marchment + smart additions (draft) is the practical winning path without massive asset sacrifice.