The Brady Tkachuk trade did more than reshape the Florida Panthers and Ottawa Senators. It sent a message across the NHL that even franchise cornerstones are no longer guaranteed to stay put when long-term uncertainty enters the picture.
Front offices around the league are now evaluating their own situations, especially with several star players approaching critical points in their contracts.
As teams study the fallout from Ottawa’s decision, attention is on another prominent American star whose future has become a growing topic of discussion.
Pierre LeBrun Points To Zach Werenski As Next Team USA Star On Trade Watch
Zach Werenski has not requested a trade from the Columbus Blue Jackets, but NHL insider Pierre LeBrun believes his situation is one worth monitoring closely over the next year.
In a recent report for The Athletic, LeBrun wrote, “Dylan Larkin awaits a resolution after asking for a trade away from the Detroit Red Wings. We’ll see what happens over time with Norris Trophy winner Zach Werenski and the Columbus Blue Jackets. To be clear, he has not asked for a trade, but teams around the league believe that’s coming over the next 12 months.”
This comment immediately drew attention because Werenski is coming off the best season of his career. The Blue Jackets defenseman captured the Norris Trophy in 2026 after posting 22 goals and 81 points in 75 games while averaging 26:36 of ice time per night.
He also helped Team USA win Olympic gold, further strengthening his reputation as one of hockey’s elite defensemen.
Despite these accomplishments, Columbus remains outside the playoff picture. That lack of team success has become a recurring theme throughout Werenski’s career and is a major reason his future is generating discussion.
The veteran defenseman already acknowledged his frustration regarding the team’s inability to make meaningful postseason progress in early June, creating additional speculation about where things could be headed.
Talking on the NHL Network, he said, “I obviously haven’t had that much success in the playoffs here in the NHL. I want that to change.”
Another factor fueling the rumors is Werenski’s close relationship with Dylan Larkin. The two have been longtime friends, former college roommates, and frequent Team USA teammates.
After Larkin’s recent trade request from Detroit, many around the league began wondering whether Werenski could eventually reach a similar crossroads if Columbus fails to take a step forward.
The Brady Tkachuk blockbuster only intensified that conversation. Ottawa showed teams that moving a franchise player with two years remaining on his contract can still produce a massive return. The Senators received multiple premium draft selections after determining Tkachuk was unlikely to commit beyond his current deal.
Werenski finds himself in a somewhat similar contract position. He has two years remaining before unrestricted free agency becomes a possibility, and Columbus cannot begin extension talks until July 1, 2027. Because of that timeline, some executives believe his trade value may never be higher than it is today.
ALSO READ: Why Did The Senators Trade Brady Tkachuk to The Panthers?
For now, the Blue Jackets have no indication that their star defenseman wants out. However, after the Tkachuk trade changed the NHL landscape, Werenski has become one of the biggest names to watch as teams prepare for the next potential blockbuster.
