Columbus Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell confirmed no definitive plan exists yet for Zach Werenski after recent agent talks and a scheduled post-draft meeting.
Werenski situation mirrors Larkin standoff
Andy Strickland noted that the Zach Werenski situation has been brewing for quite some time in a pattern similar to the Dylan Larkin situation.
Players of this caliber want to win and teams cannot expect to retain them indefinitely when contention windows close.
Don Waddell stated that some matters should remain internal while planning a near-future meeting with the defenseman.
Conversations with Werenski’s agent have occurred but produced no firm timeline or outcome as of the June 25 reporting.
This uncertainty directly raises the prospect that Columbus may receive multiple first-round assets if the 26-year-old forces a move to a contender.
Josi emerges as next logical candidate
Andy Strickland explicitly asked whether Roman Josi will be next after the Werenski and Larkin situations.
Both defensemen play in markets where sustained contention has proven difficult, creating parallel pressure on front offices.
Josi’s age and production make him an attractive rental or bridge piece for teams already near the cap ceiling.
The causal link is clear: repeated playoff misses increase the probability that established stars request trades rather than re-sign.
League executives are therefore monitoring Nashville closely for any shift in stance before free agency opens.
Canucks maintain controlled rebuild pace
Thomas Drance reported that Vancouver GM Ryan Johnson has not asked any player, including Filip Hronek, to waive a no-trade or no-movement clause.
Johnson emphasized that the rebuild is not a sell-off designed to strip assets and accept repeated losses.
The club intends to insulate its core with both good players and strong character fits rather than accelerate through pure youth.
This stance contrasts with more aggressive tanking approaches and limits immediate trade volume around Hronek.
Mason McTavish trade interest remains league-wide with Minnesota, Ottawa and Philadelphia among the suitors while Montreal declines to overpay.
Anaheim’s high asking price centers on immediate contributors, specifically a right-handed defenseman and right-handed center.
The Ducks’ preference for playable pieces now will shape how quickly any deal involving McTavish materializes before the 2026-27 season.
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Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.