Rumor: Zach Werenski rejected trade to Dallas with NMC

[Empoleon8771]

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.

 

[JesusNPucks]

I'm curious: did Columbus and Waddell all-around operate in bad faith here?

It seems strange to me that they didn't have at least some clue of Werenski's wishes before agreeing to a handshake deal with Dallas. It really puts everyone in a bad spot—both teams and the player—and I would think that could have been avoided with some more clear communication with everyone.

 

[Hockey 4 Life]

But this is on the premise that they aren't getting Knies. If Knies is part of a potential trade, then do it this summer

Fair enough in that case. If Im the Leafs I trade knies 100% to make it happen. The only way I wouldnt is if hes flat out stated he will only play for Toronto which seems absurd at this point to claim.

 

[leafsfan5]

Friedman is saying something else. Who the f*** knows what's going on, it's a mess right now.

I feel we're missing key information because none of this makes sense

We definitely are missing valuable information, though I never understood Friedman's report. Werenski is open to a deal, if one of his preferred locations offers a deal CBJ is fine with why would he not waive for it

 

[Eggtimer]

If the Leafs get Werenski without giving up Knies then Waddell should be fired the same day.

This here .

 

[93gilmour93]

 

[stevo61]

Waddell probably gets fired for losing him as a UFA for nothing. He has no choice but to trade him. Something is better than nothing.

He'd get fired sooner for taking scraps in Werenski trade. Hes got 2 years left, its not a get this done now or never even if it would be nice to just see it done and move on

 

[KniesMadeBradyCry]

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.

To be fair, because of this fiasco, Columbus might not have a choice. With only 2 years left on his deal, they might not get many better options.

 

[Mickey Marner]

The board crash would be glorious if Knies weren’t included.

 

[Arthur Morgan]

If Chaykas refusal to add knies stop Toronto from having their best defense since I started watching hockey in the 80s then he needs to be fired into the sun before they even play a game.

Notice how there's nothing there that hurts to lose? That's how you know it's not landing Werenski.

thats why I asked, I mean I cant see it happening without Knies but they say its possible without. maybe if Cowan is in there

 

[bov]

I would think Moser is intriguing to Columbus especially because of his contract. No, he is not a true #1 D by any stretch of the imagination (yet), but on a team like the Blue Jackets he would get a chance to expand his role and potentially become that for them. After all, he is still young-ish and wouldn't have much competition for heavier minutes than he gets now. If Toronto isn't offering Knies, Tampa should be able to put together a great package especially if they are willing to include Moser in it.

 

[Hockey 4 Life]

He'd get fired sooner for taking scraps in Werenski trade. Hes got 2 years left, its not a get this done now or never even if it would be nice to just see it done and move on

I think Knies + is traded to Columbus and Werenski is a Leaf by the end of the day. Could just be hope followed by disappointment but as a leaf fan who knows that feeling all to well, this feels a bit different.

 

[Crede777]

To be fair, because of this fiasco, Columbus might not have a choice. With only 2 years left on his deal, they might not get many better options.

If the only viable deal is centered around Cowan and Danford, we are well past worrying about maximizing value. It'd be more worth it to just get 2 years out of him and walk him to Free Agency.

 

[Rich Nixon]

Michkov and Martone ?

Michkov perhaps, Martone would be out of the equation most likely. You'd be looking at a young cost-controlled 2nd pairing Dman (York or Drysdale), a couple young-to-prime signed winger (Foerster or Tippett or both), a B+ prospect in Luchanko, and Toronto's 1st + one of their own. You go up to Michkov as one of the forwards if you really have to, but that's murky given no one knows what his reputation is like.

I'm looking at this from the perspective of: Columbus really really doesn't want to take steps back. While Moser and Knies are better headliners, just swapping Werenski out for one of those guys plus some futures is not a big benefit for them. But if a team can offer you equivalent futures and instead give you another top 4 D and most of a second line, it's probably a better bet for CBJ.

 

[Empoleon8771]

To be fair, because of this fiasco, Columbus might not have a choice. With only 2 years left on his deal, they might not get many better options.

They're better off holding onto him and seeing if they can convince him to re-sign. They don't have to trade him right now and Werenski hasn't asked to be traded.

 

[SC Cannon]

It’s not ridiculous if Werenski forces a trade to Toronto. The jackets will be forced to accept a futures package like Ottawa did with Brady.

Or get a 10 team list next year.

 

[KniesMadeBradyCry]

They're better off holding onto him and seeing if they can convince him to re-sign. They don't have to trade him right now and Werenski hasn't asked to be traded.

Yeah he may not have requested it himself, but if all of this is true the relationship is 100% damaged.

 

[RoadWarrior]

I'm curious: did Columbus and Waddell all-around operate in bad faith here?

It seems strange to me that they didn't have at least some clue of Werenski's wishes before agreeing to a handshake deal with Dallas. It really puts everyone in a bad spot—both teams and the player—and I would think that could have been avoided with some more clear communication with everyone.

Oh no Waddell is definitely operating on the fringes here. He negotiated in bad faith with Dallas then tried to force Werenski into the trade. They obviously wanted Harley in return but apparently Dallas wasn’t even an option for Werenski.

My conspiracy theory brain says that if the leafs sign Bobrovsky he will force a trade to Toronto to play with his buddy Matthews and shiny new toy McKenna.

 

[stevo61]

If the only viable deal is centered around Cowan and Danford, we are well past worrying about maximizing value. It'd be more worth it to just get 2 years out of him and walk him to Free Agency.

If that is an actual deal it would still be better to have him pout until his trade protection reduces next year and even trade him as a rental

 

[KniesMadeBradyCry]

If the only viable deal is centered around Cowan and Danford, we are well past worrying about maximizing value. It'd be more worth it to just get 2 years out of him and walk him to Free Agency.

With Marchenko leaving too, Cowan instantly becomes the best or 2nd best winger on that team….and that’s not me saying Cowan is a game breaker. That list of forwards is atrocious.

 

[Leafshater67]

Tell him to F off and keep him. Seeing GM’s cave to a guy with a NMC trying to force their hand over and over is getting old. At some point, these guys have to realize they signed a contract to play somewhere and having to play there for the contract is a possibility.

Hes as much tied up as the team, if not more. He needs their mercy to get out. I’d keep him until he’s more open minded.

 

[Hockey 4 Life]

Michkov perhaps, Martone would be out of the equation most likely. You'd be looking at a young cost-controlled 2nd pairing Dman (York or Drysdale), a young-to-prime signed winger (Foerster or Tippett or both), a B+ prospect in Luchanko, and Toronto's 1st + one of their own. You go up to Michkov as one of the forwards if you really have to, but that's murky given no one knows what his reputation is like.

I'm looking at this from the perspective of: Columbus really really doesn't want to take steps back. While Moser and Knies are better headliners, just swapping Werenski out for one of those guys plus some futures is not a big benefit for them. But if a team can offer you equivalent futures and instead give you another top 4 D and most of a second line, it's probably a better bet for CBJ.

The unfortunate part is there's been nothing linked to Philly. Dallas offering Harley is better then a Philly package but he refused to be moved their which is the important part. Who knows though maybe he expands this hypothetical list to the flyers.

 

[CowbellConray]

Toronto is not getting a Norris winner for scraps. It will be Knies ++ to even start the convo

 

[lanceuppercut75]

Werenski - Tanev
McCabe - Raddysh
Rielly - OEL
Andrae

Is an insane D core what an upgrade.

You aren't getting Werenski without giving up McCabe or OEL. Based on Columbus's current roster, prospects, etc, I think they'd prefer OEL. Especially since he can play the right side and be traded later on fairly easily for a decent return (unless he regresses).

EDIT - Sorry, I meant, "UNLESS you include Knies". My bad.

 

[Rich Nixon]

The unfortunate part is there's been nothing linked to Philly. Dallas offering Harley is better then a Philly package but he refused to be moved their which is the important part. Who knows though maybe he expands this hypothetical list to the flyers.

Yeah as I said, it's DOA—his preference is supposedly "East" but that's best read as "Toronto or Tampa."