Maple Leafs Have Shot: Werenski the Game-Changer Toronto Needs – Hockey Writers – Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs have spent years searching for an elite, two-way defenseman capable of changing the franchise’s ownership. If rumors are to be believed, the answer may be wearing a Columbus Blue Jackets jersey. Interestingly, he may not wear it for long.

Zach Werenski On The Trade Block

Reigning Norris Trophy winner Zach Werenski is reportedly at the center of major trade talks for the 2026 season. The implication from Columbus is that he will not re-sign after his contract expires, and the Blue Jackets are listening to trades from teams that want to enter the conversation.

At least a dozen groups will jump on all of this.

That leaves three options for GM Don Waddell as he figures out what to do here. The Blue Jackets could try to trade him this summer for the best return. The Blue Jackets can wait a year and trade him before he can leave as a free agent. They can hold on to him, try to compete, and let him head to the open market.

There is no way anyone can get the third option, and the first option seems to make the most sense. And there are already groups coming in. The Dallas Stars, Carolina Hurricanes, Philadelphia Flyers, and San Jose Sharks came calling.

Maple Leaves in the Mix?

According to Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic, Toronto is also in the picture. You write:

“It may be easier to report the teams that will not call than the interest that is already there. My understanding is that eight to 10 teams have already called the Blue Jackets. You can count the Dallas Stars, Philadelphia Flyers, San Jose Sharks and Hurricanes among the early teams that are interested. The interest of the Stars and Flyers I can describe as enthusiastic, the USA team will win the Olympics, the USA team may consider winning the Canadian Olympic is the Toronto Maple Leafs and we’ll get to at least a dozen teams by the end of this thing.

source – ‘Zach Werenski trade rumors: 3 options for the Blue Jackets, early suitors and what’s next’ – Pierre LeBrun – The Athletic – 06/27/2026

For a player who helped the United States win Olympic gold in February and was named the NHL’s best defenseman this past season, this is surprising. Usually, these Team USA players tried to avoid Canada. Also, it’s not like the Maple Leafs are yelling at the opponent.

However, LeBrun is not the only insider to report this. Season Four’s David Pagnotta added while on Leafs Morning Take: “There was no indication that he didn’t like it there. I think he just wants to understand the direction of the team.”

Werenski Will Be A Game Changer For Toronto

Since the start of the 2023-24 campaign, Werenski has put up 56 goals and 220 points in 226 games, averaging about 26 minutes of ice time per night. Only Cale Makar, Evan Bouchard, and Quinn Hughes have scored more goals in that span. He’s not just a good defender – this past season, he ranked among the best in the league.

This generation of Maple Leafs has never had a defenseman of his caliber. Maybe they have never had someone this good….

In Toronto, the timing couldn’t be easier. The Maple Leafs currently have more than $22 million in cap space for 2026-27, giving new GM John Chayka the financial leverage to absorb his cap hit and offer a competitive package of players, picks, and prospects.

The Leafs are also in the process of overhauling much of their defense, with Morgan Rielly likely on his way out of town and Darren Raddysh already added. If the Blue Jackets want NHL players back (as reported), Rielly could be part of the deal. He may not agree to a move to the Blue Jackets, but if a third team gets involved and trades him to a Western Conference contender, this could work.

That said, Rielly isn’t moving the needle here. A lot more would have to be involved. Matthew Knies is a logical starting point for any conversation. He could be someone Waddell is interested in. However, that is not enough.

The Athletic’s Jonas Siegel writes:

“The Leafs could start by adding a first-round pick to next year’s pick they got from Colorado for Nic Roy. One of their top young players — Easton Cowan or Ben Danford — would also have to be included. both? And if so, is that too much for the Leafs: Knies, Cowan, Danford and a 2027 first-round pick?”

source – ‘Can the Maple Leafs make a play for Zach Werenski?’ – Jonas Siegel – The Athletic – 06/27/2026

Costs will increase. The trade of Quinn Hughes to Minnesota is the most recent sign, and Columbus will want to pull the same. But for a team that finally has cap room, assets, and a franchise core still worth building in Auston Matthews and William Nylander, it’s fitting that the Leafs are kicking the tires.