Columbus Blue Jackets star defenseman Zach Werenski will begin the 2024-25 season with the team after a proposed trade to the Dallas Stars does not move forward. The Winnipeg Free Press and Yahoo Sports report that Werenski and Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell both issue statements on Wednesday reaffirming that Werenski’s immediate future remains in Columbus.
Both accounts tie the decision to Werenski’s contractual status. Werenski has a full no-trade clause through July 1, 2027, which gives him control over whether a trade can proceed. After the proposal for a move to Dallas fails, Werenski signals that the Stars are not the right fit for him.
Yahoo Sports also notes Werenski’s status as the reigning Norris Trophy winner, underscoring his importance to the Blue Jackets’ defensive core. With the trade off the table, the report indicates Werenski continues as part of Columbus’s plans for the coming season rather than changing teams.
