The Zach Werenski-Blue Jackets saga has taken another twist.
The defenseman and Columbus general manager Don Waddell released their own statements on Wednesday to clear things up, which reiterated that Werenski will remain in Columbus after reports surfaced that he vetoed a trade on Tuesday.
Trade rumors surrounding Werenski have been gaining traction in the past few days, as the Norris Trophy winner was connected to the Lightning and Maple Leafs before Sportsnet NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reported there was a verbal agreement in place between Columbus and Dallas, which would have sent Werenski to the Stars for a package including Thomas Harley.
But Werenski reportedly vetoed the trade with his full no-move clause.
Waddell tried to explain what had gone down between the two sides in his statement.
“During those discussions, we talked about me exploring opportunities to move him now and we all agreed if there was a deal to be made that I would bring it to him,” the GM said. “We found something that would work for the club and took it to him. After some time and discussions with his family, Zach informed us that he didn’t want to leave Columbus. He has invested a great deal in this organization and after coming close and falling short the past two seasons, his desire is to win here and get this team back into the playoffs.”
Werenski said he believed “everything got blown out of proportion.”
“I want to win and I want to do that in Columbus…It has been my home for the past 10 years and I have always been proud to be a Blue Jacket,” Werenski said. “I love my teammates and coaches and I’m looking forward to doing everything I can to get us back in the playoffs to compete for a Stanley Cup. Don and I are completely aligned on that.”
Werenski finished the 2025-26 season with 81 points on 59 assists and 22 goals. He became the 10th defenseman in NHL history to lead his team in scoring in consecutive seasons and tied Artemi Panarin’s franchise record for assists in a single season.
On top of that, Werenski also assisted on Jack Hughes’s gold medal-winning goal in the 2026 Winter Olympics.
For now, it appears Werenski remains in Columbus, but the Blue Jackets are now without a captain as Boone Jenner has joined the Capitals.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
