The Writing Is on the Wall: Zach Werenski's Days in Columbus Appear Numbered

The Columbus Blue Jackets have seen this movie before. A franchise star grows frustrated with losing, the whispers get louder, and eventually the player finds his way out of Ohio. Now, all signs point to Norris Trophy winner Zach Werenski being the next marquee name to leave Columbus, even if the formal trade request has not yet arrived.

General manager Don Waddell addressed the media Thursday ahead of Friday's NHL Draft, and while he tried to keep things close to the vest, the picture that emerged was far from reassuring for Blue Jackets faithful. Waddell confirmed he plans to sit down with Werenski sometime after the draft to gauge where the 28-year-old defenseman stands, but acknowledged there is "no definitive plan" regarding the star blueliner's future with the organization.

A Star in Limbo

Waddell's carefully chosen words did little to quell the growing sense of inevitability surrounding Werenski's departure. The GM stated that certain matters "should probably stay internal" and that conversations with Werenski's agent, Judd Moldaver, have taken place without producing any concrete direction. When asked whether it would have been smarter to hold the meeting before the draft to keep all options open, Waddell insisted the situation has no bearing on their draft strategy.

Perhaps the most telling detail, though, comes from league insiders. TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported that while Werenski has not formally requested a trade, teams across the NHL believe that request is coming within the next 12 months. That sentiment appears to be widely shared around the league, painting a picture of a player whose patience with a perennial non-contender is wearing thin.

Werenski just completed one of the finest seasons of his career, tallying 22 goals and 59 assists for 81 points in 75 games. That performance earned him the first Norris Trophy of his career, placing him second among all NHL defensemen in scoring behind only Edmonton's Evan Bouchard. He is a franchise cornerstone entering the prime of his career, and therein lies the problem for Columbus. A player of Werenski's caliber wants to compete for championships, and the Blue Jackets have not reached the postseason since 2020, when they were bounced by Tampa Bay in five games.

His contract situation adds another layer of complexity. Werenski has two years remaining on a deal carrying an average annual value of $9.58 million. A full no-movement clause protects him during the upcoming 2026-27 season, but that shifts to a modified no-trade clause the following year, when he would be able to submit a list of 10 approved trade destinations. That timeline gives the Blue Jackets a narrow window to act if they want to maximize their return.

A Familiar Pattern in Columbus

Waddell himself drew a parallel to other high-profile situations around the league, referencing Jack Eichel's trade from Buffalo to Vegas and noting that such scenarios are not unprecedented. He also alluded to a situation "some place north of us" that he had been monitoring closely, a likely nod to other American-born stars like Quinn Hughes, Brady Tkachuk, and Dylan Larkin who have recently been involved in trade discussions or moves. The trend of elite U.S.-born players seeking greener pastures has been impossible to ignore, and Werenski fits the profile perfectly.

Waddell tried to offer some optimism to the fanbase, pointing to steps the organization has taken over the past two seasons and expressing confidence in head coach Rick Bowness. He emphasized the team's goal of upgrading the forward group this offseason, noting that the 14th overall pick could be used as trade capital. But those promises of incremental progress ring hollow when your best player appears to have one foot out the door.

The GM was careful never to confirm a formal trade request, and that distinction matters in the short term. But the broader reality is hard to ignore. A Norris Trophy-winning defenseman in his prime, stuck on a team that cannot make the playoffs, with a contract structure that will soon give him significant say over where he plays next. Everything about the situation suggests Werenski's time in Columbus is winding down. The only remaining questions are when and where, not if.