Rumor: Werenski, CBJ to Meet about Future After the Draft

[Indy18]

With that in mind, sounds like we can fill a lot of holes with that “boatload” and also Mateychuk, welcome to the top pair.

If it comes to that point Mateychuk has similar metrics to Z when was 21.

He's gonna do just fine.

 

[Banana duck]

If it comes to that point Mateychuk has similar metrics to Z when was 21.

He's gonna do just fine.

If he is indeed asking out, it’s gonna look a lot of things he’s done look pretty performative.

 

[GoJackets1]

Honestly not worried.

Meeting BEFORE the draft is a reason for alarm because the draft is the prime time for deals. That's a trade me meeting. (Or a you're getting traded meeting).

Not saying it can't/won't happen.

My guess is this is simply a "here's what we're thinking" discussion for both sides. Z is our star. He has that right to have that sort of talk.

Now maybe if it turns out they're miles apart in hopes and plans this does go south. But do we think that? I don't. Z wants to win. So does this organization. They're going to be aligned there

The devil might be in those details. But it all might be fine in the end. For once. For us.

HFBoards had Z all wrapped up to trade to Detroit a few years back and lo and behold he wanted to stay here and that was off the back off much worse teams. Teams that went from playoffs to garbage.

The last two seasons have been the best since his first two. This isn't an organization going in the wrong direction.

I actually tend to agree, and you could easily hypothesize that it’s related to none of the remaining UFAs re-signing. Without those guys, if I were Z I would also be wondering where exactly Waddell plans on going this offseason, because the team is undoubtedly worse without any moves being made.

Or he’ll be named captain.

The timing is interesting though. If it isn’t a trade request, it also implies that we won’t be doing anything of note this week. If we don’t, what big plans will there even be leftover? I have a feeling not much will be left to trade for after the draft, so at this point I’m expecting the team to just flat out be worse next year, Z trade or no Z trade.

All that being said, it’s a good thing that we have an elite defenseman in waiting in Mateychuk!

 

[CalBuckeyeRob]

Werenski is a bit like Myles Garrett. You have a star player on a team that doesn't win despite having a star player. With the Browns, Garrett was signed but needed to go because they were burning through his remaining prime without a good enough QB to matter. Even if they find a QB in the near future, Garrett's greatness was out of alignment with the rest of the roster.

Here, Werenski can walk in 2 years for nothing. You cant let that happen. They are a longshot to make the playoffs this upcoming season and every month that passes, the trade value of Werenski shrinks. He is getting traded. Just a matter of when.

 

[AnonCommentary]

They absolutely do.

For example Ottawa reached out to several key players before their major trade.

Nobody went to bat for him.

That is right. I looked back and he did at some point back for Coyle and Werenski. The issue is Don has signed a lot of older players to deals. I almost think he has to do something in his head. The whiplash we would get from being make playoffs to dealing with Werenski would be insane.

 

[Indy18]

I actually tend to agree, and you could easily hypothesize that it’s related to none of the remaining UFAs re-signing. Without those guys, if I were Z I would also be wondering where exactly Waddell plans on going this offseason, because the team is undoubtedly worse without any moves being made.

Or he’ll be named captain.

The timing is interesting though. If it isn’t a trade request, it also implies that we won’t be doing anything of note this week. If we don’t, what big plans will there even be leftover? I have a feeling not much will be left to trade for after the draft, so at this point I’m expecting the team to just flat out be worse next year, Z trade or no Z trade.

All that being said, it’s a good thing that we have an elite defenseman in waiting in Mateychuk!

but also if Z is in a holding pattern its going to prevent FAs from signing here and players to waive trade clauses.

Z knows this

 

[Banana duck]

I actually tend to agree, and you could easily hypothesize that it’s related to none of the remaining UFAs re-signing. Without those guys, if I were Z I would also be wondering where exactly Waddell plans on going this offseason, because the team is undoubtedly worse without any moves being made.

Or he’ll be named captain.

The timing is interesting though. If it isn’t a trade request, it also implies that we won’t be doing anything of note this week. If we don’t, what big plans will there even be leftover? I have a feeling not much will be left to trade for after the draft, so at this point I’m expecting the team to just flat out be worse next year, Z trade or no Z trade.

All that being said, it’s a good thing that we have an elite defenseman in waiting in Mateychuk!

Josh Morrissey is who he is because he developed under Bones.

Would be great for Denton to have that.

 

[stevo61]

Honestly not worried.

Meeting BEFORE the draft is a reason for alarm because the draft is the prime time for deals. That's a trade me meeting. (Or a you're getting traded meeting).

Not saying it can't/won't happen.

My guess is this is simply a "here's what we're thinking" discussion for both sides. Z is our star. He has that right to have that sort of talk.

Now maybe if it turns out they're miles apart in hopes and plans this does go south. But do we think that? I don't. Z wants to win. So does this organization. They're going to be aligned there

The devil might be in those details. But it all might be fine in the end. For once. For us.

HFBoards had Z all wrapped up to trade to Detroit a few years back and lo and behold he wanted to stay here and that was off the back off much worse teams. Teams that went from playoffs to garbage.

The last two seasons have been the best since his first two. This isn't an organization going in the wrong direction.

This is closer to where Im at, Im definitely not as stressed at 90% of the people here . I have no doubt Zach wants to see improvement next year and then it becomes a problem but my brain went to the same point of its not an immediate problem as its set to happen after the draft. Maybe this meeting was thrown out there to the public just incase someone offered something obscene but I dont think its happening to say I want out and that's that

 

[Jaxs]

I dont blame you for the emotions. Thats why I tried to take time and formulate my words instead of just commenting what I thought.

My question is how does Z + other players already not have an idea of what the plan is? If you were the GM - Would you not be in contact with your top players saying, how do, we feel about this?

Yes. If I'm Waddell I drive over to New Albany and have another heart to heart before anything else! I kid, but if the most important part of next season is on the line, I'm finding out firsthand.

Also have a pre draft discussion with Zach about my intentions to make a trade using the 14th pick. I may be living in a fantasy world but if Don thinks any of these media posts are legit, he should be going straight to the source.

It takes two to make atrade and Don may not be throwing enough bait out to his fellow GMs. Is Don being a Scott Howon and being risk averse? Maybe.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

NBA-style player empowerment?​

Between Dylan Larkin’s trade request and Brady Tkachuk’s strong-armed move from the Ottawa Senators to the Florida Panthers, there’s been a lot said over the past few days about whether the NHL is entering a new era of stars dictating what they want and where they want to play.

“I think it’s the model of what the NBA has done over the years, where players ask to get traded to particular places and somehow they always make it happen,” Don Waddell, general manager and president of hockey operations for the Columbus Blue Jackets, told The Athletic. “I will say, for myself, if we’re in that position, just because somebody asked for a trade, you don’t always have to make it.”

It’s an interesting comment from Waddell, given the uncertainty when it comes to the future of Norris Trophy winner Zach Werenski. To my knowledge, Werenski has not asked for a trade to date. But the expectation is that all parties involved will talk about the player’s future sometime over the next few weeks. The star defenseman has two more years on his deal. So we’ll see where that one goes over time.

 

[AnonCommentary]

I dont think a meeting pre / post draft has any significance with Werenski honestly.

 

[Napoli]

What's a realistic trade for Z? Im talking destination and return.

Drafting a top forward in this year's draft wouldn't be the worst thing if the player wants out.

 

[AnonCommentary]

NGL this does not settle anything for me. Saying he has not asked for a trade but lets see where it goes. Feels like there is more to hash out in the meeting.

 

[GoJackets1]

but also if Z is in a holding pattern its going to prevent FAs from signing here and players to waive trade clauses.

Z knows this

Yeah, and if it really is a trade request, it would ideally come before the draft and we could move ahead with futures that are already drafted. I don’t like the idea of waiting it out and pushing whatever improvement comes from the futures out a year just because Waddell is still in wait and see mode. Be aggressive for f***s sake! Whether it’s trading Z or keeping him, start the future this week.

When has seeing where the team is part-way thru the season EVER actually helped the CBJ re-sign a wishy-washy player? Never.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

What's a realistic trade for Z? Im talking destination and return.

Drafting a top forward in this year's draft wouldn't be the worst thing if the player wants out.

I can only work under the assumption that Z is going to ask to go to Florida, Tampa, Dallas, Vegas or Minnesota. Because that's what those guys on the Team USA group chat have all had on their list (maybe with Carolina in there too?)

Only Vegas had a package I was interested in, unless Jason Robertson was cool with coming here.

 

[CalBuckeyeRob]

Werenski is a high quality human. I dont thing he ever publicly asks to be traded because that would only embarrass the team. That will be done quietly from his representatives. And I think that or something awful close to that did happen and the comment from Waddell yesterday was a way to reduce the shock to the fan base he is afraid of.

 

[TimBielik]

Here’s my 2 cents on this Werenski meeting report from Friedman:

Is it concerning? Maybe a tiny amount because of the noise the last couple days. But in my opinion, this should be another reminder about how aggressive the Jackets need to be this offseason, maybe even the next 4 days. If you’re the Jackets and you walk into this meeting having traded for a Jared McCann or the rights to Tuch or Robertson, for example, that’s a pretty easy sell that as a team, you’re doing what you can to make the team better. Maybe it’s appeasing the star, but in the process, you’re also making your team better.

It’s probably going to hurt to make a big trade. But as I’ve said, you’ve got to make bold moves sometimes to win and I honestly don’t know if I’ve seen the one move from Don Waddell that is his proverbial stamp on the roster. Plenty of big moves out there. They need to make one.

 

[cbjthrowaway]

probably not the right thread for it but at this point who cares, i have an axe to grind with the old man and this is my outlet to do so.

the "old man don might've actually cooked" moves:

• mason marchment was a very shrewd trade and fit here like a glove
• charlie coyle was also absolutely worth the initial investment
• bones is great
• olivier extension: good bit of business
• danton heinen was decent as a trade throw-in i guess
• bridge deal on KJ was probably the right call

the "you're not off the hook yet, old man" moves:

• trading for conor garland, a player who i really like, but with a contract that seems set up to age poorly especially if the team regresses
• sean monahan: brilliant in year 1, abysmal last year
• dante fabbro: brilliant in year 1, abysmal last year
• traded jiricek before his value cratered; depends on how the picks turn out
• coyle extension: you can live with this if your team is good. if not… yikes!

the "oh my god this guy has no juice" moves:

• said "we're about to get a center who our fans will be very excited about" in his july 1 presser last year… only for that center to end up being isac lundestrom
• overhauled the coaching staff, hiring evason, ford and haviland and retaining mccarthy… only to unceremoniously fire all four of those guys over the next two years
  • note: he even nearly inserted himself as HC during this, lol
• all of their young players got worse, got traded, or both
  • coming from an org that is great at drafting and developing, to one that stinks at it, and changing nothing in either area… this begs the question: does don waddell actually know why carolina is good at those things?
• just straight up didn't make a decision on provorov before the deadline in either direction
  • note: extending him early would've been ~$6m x 5 years, so this indecision cost the team $30m in cap space over the next 7 years lol
• talked up the 24-25 deadline, ended up with luke kunin (fart noise)
• talked up doing big trades at the draft last summer, didn't (fart noise)
• talked up giving fantilli a max-term extension last summer, still hasn't (enormous fart noise)
• let JvR walk to make room for "big summer moves" that didn't happen; contributed to KJ's regression
• traded chinakhov for picks, then flipping those for marchment, then not being able to re-sign marchment

the "let's talk about opportunity cost" things:

• bridged marchenko instead of giving him a long-term deal, ensuring he's cheap when they don't need him to be cheap and opening up trade/offer sheet drama the next two summers now
• didn't buy out elvis last summer + getting a real goalie
  • note: this almost certainly cost them a playoff berth this year btw
• gaveup a good asset to avoid retaining on laine, handcuffing himself at the next deadline as a result, and not using the cap space he actually gained in the trade across the next two seasons
  • note: this is a minor thing that i will be hung up for as long as i post here
• chickened out of trading for martin necas despite having a good relationship with the player and agent, despite two years of runway – a move that certainly would have gotten them into the playoffs both years
• failed to attract any genuine star talent
• missed the playoffs two years in a row
  • note: these last two bullets probably guarantee werenski's exit
  • additional note: a CBJ team that made the playoffs the last two years probably becomes a top suitor for larkin, and thus a bona fide contender, but alas
• held onto jenner instead of immediately trading him for a haul
• held onto provorov when he could've gotten them a haul + been replaced for less

what do we have to show for it?

• zero playoff games
• nearly all of their young players got worse, got traded, or both
• wasted a top five pick
• decided to not turn provorov or jenner into assets
• will almost certainly end up having to trade werenski, who will limit their suitors to teams that don't have actually good assets to give up
• another futile chapter in the history of this franchise
• pain

mcconnell family, i am begging you, fire this keebler elf and hire a nerd.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

After the draft means he won’t get traded at the draft.

There’s just been so much jabber out there. Probably one side reached out to the other and said let’s just get on the same page so we can put this crap behind us.

And probably the team saw it as an opportunity to name him captain.

I know I’m a pollyanna glass-half-full guy so I guess whatever but man…

 

[SC Cannon]

Werenski is a bit like Myles Garrett. You have a star player on a team that doesn't win despite having a star player. With the Browns, Garrett was signed but needed to go because they were burning through his remaining prime without a good enough QB to matter. Even if they find a QB in the near future, Garrett's greatness was out of alignment with the rest of the roster.

Here, Werenski can walk in 2 years for nothing. You cant let that happen. They are a longshot to make the playoffs this upcoming season and every month that passes, the trade value of Werenski shrinks. He is getting traded. Just a matter of when.

We've improved year over year up to a 90+ point team. We're not a long shot for the playoffs.

Also thinking Zs trade value is sinking any time soon is ridiculous.

You people are miserable.

 

[Banana duck]

NGL this does not settle anything for me. Saying he has not asked for a trade but lets see where it goes. Feels like there is more to hash out in the meeting.

I mean, thinking about this, even if he doesn’t ask for a trade, Waddell is kind of in a situation where he has to get a long term commitment from him.

If he goes all in, trading futures and prospects to make a push to keep Werenski - who is pushing 30 - and he walks, we are in BAD shape.

If Werenski says “I’m in, no matter what” then he can do this. If he isn’t in, I would think Waddell has to shift to “we build around the 22-26 year old guys” and trade Zach for a bunch of players that age.

 

[majormajor]

No reason to fast track this. We have 1.5 years to make this trade. He better do it right.

He’s not requesting a trade to anywhere he’s not extending to. That part is moot.

The draft is a meaningless deadline other than for draft pick trades for this current season.

I would be ecstatic to get Caleb Malhotra in this draft. Trading for 2027 picks you have no idea if you're even getting something in the top 10. And player for player trades or package trades (ick) are just harder to pull off in a fair way. I would much rather get something out of this draft where we know where the picks stand. We don't have that option next week, we would likely be stuck with quantity options.

Two weeks after the Norris announcement. Just two weeks. Just two g-ddamn weeks.

G-d forbid any of us ever be allowed to have nice things, apparently.

What is there to look forward to at this point? Trade return? Don't be f***ing absurd. It'll just be more pointless lottery tickets that will either bust or beg out. That's all that happens. That's all that ever happens, no matter what we do or who we fire or who we hire or what or where or ANYTHING AT ALL.

Why am I still here? Why am I still trying? It's never going to be worth it. There's never going to be a payoff. Not at this rate. Not with how this keeps happening.

I would be genuinely excited to see the team post-Werenski. It's not what we wanted but having Mateychuk ready to step up is pretty amazing. We'll see about the return. A team built around Malhotra and Mateychuk would make me so happy.

 

[cbjthrowaway]

I get what you're saying, but this feels a bit of 2020 hindsight considering how Lindstrom is treading.

We would have been the laughing stock if we traded a top 5 pick for a guy who is clearly going to bounce.

The easy comeback to that is we're usually the laughing stock either way I guess.

again: necas was going to be an RFA, and didn't want to sign long-term. he wanted to bet on himself. he ended up signing a two-year deal in carolina. then after he blew up in colorado he signed a huge extension that will quickly turn into a bargain as the cap rises.

it wasn't ever a "necas won't extend in columbus" thing, it was "waddell only wants him on a long-term deal" thing – but columbus could offer necas exactly what he wanted: a platform to play a top line role, and cap space to reward him if it went well.

waddell had the relationship, cap space and opportunity to keep necas long-term, even if the initial contract wouldn't be. but he chickened out. that is directly related to losing werenski.

 

[majormajor]

Werenski is a bit like Myles Garrett. You have a star player on a team that doesn't win despite having a star player. With the Browns, Garrett was signed but needed to go because they were burning through his remaining prime without a good enough QB to matter. Even if they find a QB in the near future, Garrett's greatness was out of alignment with the rest of the roster.

Here, Werenski can walk in 2 years for nothing. You cant let that happen. They are a longshot to make the playoffs this upcoming season and every month that passes, the trade value of Werenski shrinks. He is getting traded. Just a matter of when.

You know more about the Browns than you do about the Jackets.

 

[Jaxs]

I dont think a meeting pre / post draft has any significance with Werenski honestly.

I don't either because I think he knows crystal clear what Don wants to do, and I think social media personalities are using the situation to their benefit. Just was answering you question in the sense that Z wasn't aware of the plan.