Columbus Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell, Zach Werenski address trade rumors
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The many twists and turns of the Zach Werenski saga has taken another sharp turn, and this time it's headed back to Nationwide Arena.
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After news first broke June 10 in The Athletic that Werenski might request a trade with two years left on his contract, the situation turned into a full-on NHL pursuit of the reigning Norris Trophy winner prior to the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft on June 26 in Buffalo.
As Blue Jackets president/general manager Don Waddell accepted calls around the NHL regarding Werenski, speculation skyrocketed before multiple outlets reported late June 30 that Werenski had vetoed a trade that would've sent him to the Dallas Stars.
Reports also said his preferred landing spots were the Tampa Bay Lightning or Toronto Maple Leafs, two teams that either aren't willing to part with the type of assets Waddell was seeking or don't have them at all.
Now, for the latest.
After a reported meeting July 1 between Waddell, Werenski and agent Judd Moldaver, the Blue Jackets issued statements from Waddell and Werenski regarding the star defenseman's future with the team.
Sounds like Werenski, his agent Judd Moldaver, and CBJ GM Don Waddell spoke today in an effort to clear the air and calm things down. Werenski is comfortable going back to CBJ. Waddell could present him with a trade in the meantime, but that isn’t on the radar at this point.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 1, 2026
Here are Werenski's statements:
"Don and I have had very open and honest dialogue since the season ended. Ideally, this wouldn’t have become such a public thing but that is the world we live in now and everything got blown out of proportion in my opinion. I want to win and I want to do that in Columbus.
As I’ve thought about things and discussed everything with my wife and family, we want to be in Columbus. It has been my home for the past 10 years and I have always been proud to be a Blue Jacket. We have the best fans in the NHL. 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 and are excited about what’s to come with our team."
Is that a commitment for only next season? The next two years? Longer?
Here's what Waddell said:
"Earlier this spring, Zach and I met and talked about his future with the Blue Jackets beyond his current contract and he indicated that he wasn’t sure what the future would hold with regards to staying with the club or possibly moving on. 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.
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.
The past two seasons have been very challenging ones, but also ones of growth for our team. Our goals from ownership on down and Zach’s goals are the same … to win now, return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs and win a Stanley Cup. Our city and fans deserve nothing less and we are all on the same page working towards that end. Zach has been a very important part of this organization and our community for a long time, and we couldn’t be happier that he will continue to be moving forward."
Again, for how much longer?
They'll have to answer that with more specificity at some point in the next couple of years, but there's no desire for a trade right now by either the team or Werenski. Waddell will meet with reporters July 2 at Nationwide Arena, so stay tuned for more out of that conversation.
Meanwhile, this is a huge shift in a positive direction for the Blue Jackets amid an offseason that was slipping off the rails in a hurry.
Does Werenski's sudden change of heart affect star forward Kirill Marchenko's desire to re-sign with the Blue Jackets on a long-term deal? Will Werenski, who went from beloved Blue Jackets superstar to local villain in the span of just a few days, now get the captain's 'C' on the jersey after Boone Jenner's departure for the Washington Capitals?
Is everything good between Werenski and coach Rick Bowness, who lit into Blue Jackets players in an epic postgame rant following a loss to the Capitals in the season finale?
Bowness told reporters June 30 at Nationwide Arena that he was 'shocked' to hear reports that Werenski wanted a change of scenery since he didn't sense any unhappiness during their exit interview in April, which ended with a hug and handshake.
All good now?
That's certainly what those prepared statements depict. Stay tuned.
Dispatch Blue Jackets reporter Brian Hedger can be reached at [email protected]
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell, Zach Werenski address trade rumors