The Toronto Maple Leafs may have just caught a huge break in what is shaping up to be one of the NHL’s biggest arms races. As speculation intensifies around Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski’s future, a new insider report suggests Toronto could have an advantage that no other team possesses.
Maple Leafs Receive Major Boost in Werenski Pursuit
After reports surfaced before the NHL Draft that the reigning Norris Trophy winner is unlikely to sign another extension with Columbus when his six-year, $57.5 million contract expires in 2028, Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell has started taking calls from interested teams.
Several clubs have already expressed interest, but NHL insider Pierre LeBrun revealed over the weekend that one detail could work heavily in Toronto’s favor.
“My understanding is that eight to 10 teams have already called the Blue Jackets. You can absolutely count the Dallas Stars, Philadelphia Flyers, San Jose Sharks and Carolina Hurricanes among the early teams with interest. The Stars’ and Flyers’ interest I would describe as keen,” LeBrun reported.
“The one Canadian team that the Team USA Olympic gold medal winner might consider, by the way, is the Toronto Maple Leafs. Again, we’re going to get to at least a dozen teams by the end of this thing for sure,” He added.
Werenski’s full no-movement clause gives him complete control over any potential trade destination. According to LeBrun, Toronto is believed to be the only Canadian team he would seriously consider, a factor that could give new Maple Leafs GM John Chayka an edge as trade discussions continue.
LeBrun also noted that Werenski’s agent, Judd Moldaver, has not provided Columbus with a formal list of approved destinations. Instead, there is only a general understanding of the teams Werenski would likely consider waiving his no-movement clause for, allowing Columbus to fully gauge the trade market before narrowing its options.
It’s uncommon for an American superstar to be open to playing in a Canadian market, but Toronto offers a few compelling reasons.
One of the biggest is Werenski’s recent experience with Team USA. He won Olympic gold alongside Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, and the opportunity to compete for a Stanley Cup with Matthews is believed to be an attractive selling point.
Toronto is also entering a new era. After moving on from its long-standing “Core Four” structure and selecting generational prospect Gavin McKenna with the first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, the organization appears ready to reshape its roster around a new core.
Werenski is coming off one of the best seasons of his career, recording 81 points (22 goals, 59 assists) while cementing himself as one of the NHL’s elite all-around defensemen.
Landing a player of that caliber won’t come cheaply. League insiders believe Waddell will seek a blockbuster return comparable to the package Minnesota surrendered to acquire Quinn Hughes.
For Toronto, that could mean parting with young forward Matthew Knies, along with high-end prospects and future draft picks, if the Maple Leafs hope to land one of the league’s premier blueliners.
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Whether Toronto ultimately meets Columbus’s asking price remains to be seen, but if Werenski is indeed willing to waive his no-movement clause for the Maple Leafs, they could find themselves in a stronger position than many of their competitors.
