Rumor: Zach Werenski rejected trade to Dallas with NMC

[MVP Zacha]

I am so tired of these US players forcing their way off good American teams to go to Canada.

 

[RoadWarrior]

Set a high price, and if Toronto/Tampa doesn't match, tell ZW he can accept the Dallas offer or he can play in the PR nightmare that is Columbus next year, and then go to any one of 21 other teams a year from now. That's about all you can do, I think. You definitely cannot be low-balled by Tampa and Toronto.

Then they lose him for nothing as a UFA. Waddell is in a no win situation. He has no cards to play here.

 

[Dr Amazing]

Must be a Colorado fan can you imagine Werenski and Makar just deadly.

 

[The Management]

I can see the argument for Knies over Moser, but it's based more on giving your fans something to cheer about (goals). Moser will win you games though. I would love Knies in TB, but wouldn't give Moser for him. Having a defenseman who can shut down other teams' best players night after night is just way too valuable.

That's fair enough.

Moser brings steady, reliable play. But I can see a scenario where Columbus wants to bring in a player that will stand out a little more, and I think Knies and the way he plays the game has the potential to give the Jackets something to get excited about. Especially when they're sending so much offense out the door.

Honestly, both valuable guys, just different looks. If they want to go with the steadier option that may win them more hockey games, Moser looks good, especially with some of their young D like Mateychuck coming into the league. If you want a powerforward that is strong on the puck, would look great alongside Fantilli and could replace some of that lost offense, then Knies is a pretty attractive option.

 

[DFC]

I should have been more clear: I was saying Moser was a piece the Leafs couldn't match in the scenario where Knies wasn't part of the return.

In the thread where I said this, there was a Dreger rumour claiming Knies wasn't part of the offer (which he is already walking back a little) and I said if Tampa was offering Moser up, and the Leafs package didn't have Knies, I didn't know what the Leafs could pony up that would trump Moser's inclusion, and that was ridiculed.

Ah yeah. I was mainly agreeing anyway. I do think Moser is the more valuable piece. He has some of the best defensive metrics in the league, and his contract is perfect for CBJ. But I do understand that if you're trading arguably the best player in your franchise's history, it looks good to have a guy who can score. I think Knies is great. But man, people don't understand what Moser can do for a team. We didn't have to worry about the McDavids and MacKinnons of the world all year because Moser took care of them.

 

[SC Cannon]

Then they lose him for nothing as a UFA. Waddell is in a no win situation. He has no cards to play here.

Modified ntc next year. That's a pretty big card to play lol

 

[DFC]

That's fair enough.

Moser brings steady, reliable play. But I can see a scenario where Columbus wants to bring in a player that will stand out a little more, and I think Knies and the way he plays the game has the potential to give the Jackets something to get excited about. Especially when they're sending so much offense out the door.

Honestly, both valuable guys, just different looks. If they want to go with the steadier option that may win them more hockey games, Moser looks good, especially with some of their young D like Mateychuck coming into the league. If you want a powerforward that is strong on the puck, would look great alongside Fantilli and could replace some of that lost offense, then Knies is a pretty attractive option.

Agreed. I think that's CBJ's decision. All of Knies's value is right up front, with a spotlight on it. Moser's is more like... we're 20 games into the season and we've only been scored on by the other team's best player twice 5v5. Stuff like that. But nobody's buying a ticket to go see JJ Moser.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

I kind of hope he goes to Toronto because i want to this package without Knies, as we are all assuming McKenna, Matthews and Nylander wont be apart of it, either

 

[BM14]

Yep thats how NHL works.

Is Pittsburgh the best team in the league right now bc they have been the best team in salary cap era or is it Montreal because they have been the best team in league history?

Keep going. You’re doing so well.

 

[leafsfan5]

Agreed. I think that's CBJ's decision. All of Knies's value is right up front, with a spotlight on it. Moser's is more like... we're 20 games into the season and we've only been scored on by the other team's best player twice 5v5. Stuff like that. But nobody's buying a ticket to go see JJ Moser.

Along with Knies scoring prowess up front, there might be something to the big American kid coming to CBJ. It's an easier marketing play for sure

Moser will less marketable makes a ton of sense if they want to build the d-core out. Like you said, it'll be what CBJ wants

 

[Vergil]

Are you just ignoring the fact they were offered 4th overall + for knies?

Hilarious you think knies is no where near enough for werenski but Moser + geekie is

Means nothing when the 4th overall was moved for Bowen Byram of all people. Y'all focus way too much on draft picks for some strange reason.

Knies is a dime a dozen winger. Moser has played meaningful hockey on the first pairing this year. He can literally fill in the defensive gaps left when Werenski leaves.

Oh. And JJ Moser had just 9 less points than Thomas Harley this year.

 

[Cyclones Rock]

Then they lose him for nothing as a UFA. Waddell is in a no win situation. He has no cards to play here.

He's got two years and a 10 team trade clause next year. Plenty of cards.

 

[ProfessorFink22]

Then they lose him for nothing as a UFA. Waddell is in a no win situation. He has no cards to play here.

He's a UFA in two years, not one. Next summer they can trade him to 21 teams and he still has a year left.

I don't think his value will be higher than it is now, but if your choice is a bidding war between 4/5 serious teams next summer, or a very underwhelming offer now... You mind as well take the bidding war next summer.

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

Jackets aren't going to get a great return for the 2026 Norris winner Werenski. Waddell's hands are tied and he needs active NHL players coming back.

If Werenski goes to Toronto, Knies would be the main piece going back. Maybe Knies and McCabe.

 

[lanceuppercut75]

Then they lose him for nothing as a UFA. Waddell is in a no win situation. He has no cards to play here.

That would be true if Werenski had a full No Movement Clause for the whole contract, but it devolves to a 10 team trade list next summer. Then there are ten teams Werenski can't block, and Columbus can find at least one of those ten (if not multiple) who want to trade for him.

 

[Hockey 4 Life]

Let's just Trade Knies + for Werenski and everyone is happy lol.

 

[FerrisRox]

I mean I don't want Tampa to get him. But I don't think he is the best fit for Toronto.

We just signed raddysh. Clearly raddysh isn't anywhere near him. But what she poijt. Of 2 pp gbs making like 20 million.

Burns and karlson didn't work. Unless her can trade raddysh in the funniest move in history. Makes no sense.

It wouldn't be an issue.

Raddysh is in no way, shape or form a Power Play QB.

He's a finisher on the PP with a big heavy shot, but he's not quarterbacking at all. The TB power play ran through Kucherov and he was the engine and the guy that would distribute the puck around until they could open up a lane for a point shot from Raddysh.

If Toronto added Werenski to their team, it wouldn't affect Raddysh's power play worth at all and it wouldn't be redundant because they play very different roles with the extra man.

 

[DFC]

Along with Knies scoring prowess up front, there might be something to the big American kid coming to CBJ. It's an easier marketing play for sure

Moser will less marketable makes a ton of sense if they want to build the d-core out. Like you said, it'll be what CBJ wants

Yeah. Moser immediately fills the position they just lost, but in a much different way. You can build around Moser for sure, but you're building around the rock of good defense, and then filling it out. I think he's more of a foundational piece than Knies, but when you're dealing with a PO'd fanbase, goals are an easier sell for sure. And Knies is a great player, so it's not like they'd be getting smoke and mirrors.

 

[Eggtimer]

There are 2 assets in the entire Toronto organization that Columbus would accept as the main piece for Werenski: Knies or McKenna. You're not getting Werenski for a package headline by freaking Ben Danford. McKenna is obviously not being traded, but Knies would absolutely be included.

I'm not sure it would be a ton on top of Knies, but there is simply no chance that a deal gets done without Knies being included. Columbus is better off just saying "we'll keep you and try to convince you to re-sign" than take something like Cowan, Danford, Robertson and a Colorado 1st for Werenski. Werenski hasn't asked for a trade.

This 100% . A bunch of scraps isn’t getting the reigning Norris winning Dman in his prime , like come on .

 

[DGLeafy]

Anyone else hearing McCabe may be involved ?

McCabe + Hildeby + Cowan + 1st ?

 

[SC Cannon]

Jackets aren't going to get a great return for the 2026 Norris winner Werenski. Waddell's hands are tied and he needs active NHL players coming back.

If Werenski goes to Toronto, Knies would be the main piece going back. Maybe Knies and McCabe.

Holy balls is anybody reading the thread. Waddells hands are not tied. He can trade him to 21 teams next year. He will be a rental and his value will not be as high as it is now. It will still be better than a Toronto package without Knies or any of their other big guns.

 

[Legion34]

The problem with that is if Toronto is the only place he'll go then it's far better for Columbus to wait until next year unless the Leafs really step up - In other words, they're not getting him at a discount because they're the only bidder.

But then of Toronto is sit the only place he would extend it doesn't matter. You are getting rental price.

Thads the worlds biggest IF.

 

[Hockey 4 Life]

Anyone else hearing McCabe may be involved ?

McCabe + Hildeby + Cowan + 1st ?

I think ot would be McCabe + Knies as the heart of the package.

 

[DFC]

It wouldn't be an issue.

Raddysh is in no way, shape or form a Power Play QB.

He's a finisher on the PP with a big heavy shot, but he's not quarterbacking at all. The TB power play ran through Kucherov and he was the engine and the guy that would distribute the puck around until they could open up a lane for a point shot from Raddysh.

If Toronto added Werenski to their team, it wouldn't affect Raddysh's power play worth at all and it wouldn't be redundant because they play very different roles with the extra man.

This is true, although I think Raddysh would be fine as a PP quarterback. He and Kucherov developed a definite rhythm where they would create space for each other. If Toronto ran two D on their PP, it wouldn't affect Raddysh, but removing Raddysh from the PP definitely decreases his value.

All that said, Werenski-Raddysh would be a TERRIFYING top pair. It's like having a second top line.

 

[lanceuppercut75]

Jackets aren't going to get a great return for the 2026 Norris winner Werenski. Waddell's hands are tied and he needs active NHL players coming back.

If Werenski goes to Toronto, Knies would be the main piece going back. Maybe Knies and McCabe.

Columbus has Provorov, Mateychuk and soon Jackson Smith at left D after Werenski. I personally think they'd prefer OEL to McCabe, because (1) he can play the right side, (2) he's a 2 year commitment instead of 4, and (3) he'd be easier to trade and maybe a better return than McCabe too. At least, if his play stays at the level it was at last season.