Zach Werenski Addresses NHL Trade Rumors, Blue Jackets Future After Vetoing Stars Move

Zach Werenski says he "would have no issues" signing an extension with the Columbus Blue Jackets despite trade rumors surrounding him this offseason.

"I want to win, and I want to win here in Columbus," Werenski told reporters Thursday. "That's all I'm focused on, and that hasn't changed since the end of last season."

Werenski continued, "I have two years left, and I've been here for a very long time. I think everyone knows how much I love this city, and how much it means to me, and I would have no issues being here for an even longer time."

ESPN's Greg Wyshynski reported on July 1 Werenski vetoed a trade to the Dallas Stars earlier this offseason.

Wyshynski also reported Werenski had told the Blue Jackets he would not sign another deal with the team.

The Blue Jackets responded by releasing a statement in which Werenski said he wanted to be in Columbus.

Blue Jackets general manager Waddell said in his statement he met with Werenski earlier this offseason, at which point Werenski "indicated that he wasn't sure what the future would hold with regards to staying with the club or possibly moving on."

"We found something that would work for the club and took it to him," Waddell said. "After some time and discussions with his family, Zach informed us that he didn't want to leave Columbus."

When asked about his reaction to the Dallas proposal, Werenski said Thursday: "To me, this is where I always wanted to be, was Columbus. So it wasn't really— I kind of heard about it, and then was just like, 'I'm playing in Columbus next year.' That was my thought on it. I really didn't give it too much of a thought."

Werenski added he went to bed the day the Dallas trade was proposed and woke up the next morning to the article, at which point he said he called Waddell to "get this thing back on the rails."

The Jackets star said he is currently on good terms with his teammates and front office, and that he trusts Waddell to improve the roster.

Werenski also made it clear his future in Columbus will be shaped by the Blue Jackets' level of success. He is currently signed through the 2027-28 season with the Jackets, which have not qualified for the playoffs since 2020.

"We've got to push forward, we have to raise our expectations. And me and Don have had great conversations about everything," Werenski said. "And I do have two years left on my deal, and I don't know what's going to happen. All I know is that I'm going to be the best player I can be this season for this team.

"At the end of the day, there's a business side of it, and I'm sure, if they're not sure, they have to think about that. But I think if you were to ask him, and I don't know this, but ideally, I'm here for the long term, and it's on a winning team, and this team's a playoff team consistently. That's, I think, the end goal in all this."

Werenski, who is considered a candidate to succeed Boone Jenner as the Blue Jackets' captain, isn't the only Team USA star to recently consider splitting from a team for which they held a leadership role.

Brady Tkachuk said in April he was "fully committed" to captaining the Ottawa Senators months before he was traded in June to the Florida Panthers.

Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin's trade request is still pending despite Steve Yzerman recently departing from his previous role as general manager.

The Blue Jackets will for now head into the 2026-27 season with the reigning Norris Trophy winner still on the roster.

Whether Werenski ultimately stays in Columbus past 2028 could depend on if the Jackets can build on last season by climbing the Metropolitan Division rankings this fall.