There is another
While the Red Wings didn't win the Quinn Hughes sweepstakes, it's not the end of the world.
One of the biggest trades for a defenseman in NHL history happened last week.
I’m talking of course about the Nashville Predators trading Spencer Statsney to the Edmonton Oilers. No, unfortunately, the Detroit Red Wings missed out on Canucks franchise defenseman Quinn Hughes, who now joins one of the best defensive cores in the NHL with the Minnesota Wild. It’s perfectly fine to feel bummed that this didn’t work out for the Wings, but, per Elliotte Friedman, the asking price was just too high for Steve Yzerman.
“There was something Vancouver wanted...that the Red Wings would not include; I have wondered if that was Simon Edvinsson, I don’t know it though.” - Elliotte Friedman, 32 Thoughts Podcast
Hughes was acquired for Zeev Buium, Liam Ohgren, Marco Rossi, and a 1st round pick. In Detroit terms, you’d be looking at something like Simon Edvinsson, Marco Kasper/Nate Danielson, Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, and a 1st. A high price to pay for a defenseman only signed for the next 1.5 years. Hughes would certainly be an upgrade over Edvinsson, but it still doesn’t solve the problem the Wings have with the team’s top-four defensive layout.
Fortunately, there’s another star player-shaped solution that could (and should) shake out. One with ties to Michigan. Ties to Dylan Larkin, even.
Troy Stecher, welcome back to-*a cane yanks me off stage*
Get a load of this guy
If I told you to take a drink every time you’ve ever heard the phrase “did you know Zach Werenski and Dylan Larkin were roommates”, I think half of you would wind up in the hospital by the end of the hour. To say Werenski has been mentioned more than a handful of times is somewhat of an understatement. The former University of Michigan defenseman has spent his entire career with the Columbus Blue Jackets and has made quite the name for himself.
In 600 career games, Werenski has 420 points — genuinely impressive numbers for a defenseman. Last season, he hit a career-high 82 points in 81 games and looks to be on pace for similar numbers this season. Werenski is much, much more than an offensive threat, though. He’s wildly intelligent, capable of breaking up high-motor passing plays and seeing where the puck’s going long before anyone else. Here’s a closer look at Werenski’s defensive game:
The guy is just relentless on the ice. He can read offensive plays and break down defenses with the best of them. He’s far and beyond the best player on the Blue Jackets this season, leading the team in scoring with 36 points in 33 games. You can employ him with Seider and create a two-pronged threat on the team’s top-four, or you can put him with Axel Sandin-Pellikka and create a merciless offensive pairing. A defensive core of Seider, Edvinsson, Werenski, and Sandin-Pellikka is among the best in the league.
There’s just one question:
Why would he leave Columbus?
Why would he leave?
The Blue Jackets, as it stands, are last in the Metropolitan Division. In their last five seasons, they’ve finished 8th in the division three times, 6th once, and, last season, they wound up in 4th place. Should this trajectory keep up, this will be yet another frustrating end to their season. What’s to be done? Sooner or later, the team has to figure out what it needs to do from here. Werenski has just two years left on his contract at $9.5M per season. He’ll be due for a nice big extension shortly after.
The Blue Jackets are slowly building a nice young core with players like Adam Fantilli (21), Denton Mateychuk (21), and Kent Johnson (23). Columbus is on the cusp of a serious youth movement once these players reach their prime. Werenski, on the other hand, is 28 years old. He’s already in his prime. By the time the younger roster is ready to compete, he’ll either be through with his contract or well into his 30s.
Additionally, Werenski has a no movement clause (NMC) to his contract which becomes a 10-team trade list in 2027-28. With that said, his destiny rests squarely in his hands. If he wants to stick it out, he’s got the rest of this season and two seasons after to figure out his future in Columbus. But, if he’s decided he’s had enough…he can opt out of his NMC.
What’s it gonna take?
Let’s address the elephant in the room: the cost.
Like Hughes, Werenski won’t come cheap. In fact, he’ll likely command a fairly similar price tag to what the Canucks wanted for Hughes. We’re talking a high draft pick, a top prospect, and maybe a roster player, depending on how Columbus views Werenski and where they see the team going from here. Other factors like draft positioning and standing will play a huge role, as well. Where do the Blue Jackets see the roster without Werenski? Is he worth losing for a few picks and prospects, or do they wait until they can maximize his value?
My guess is that, unless Werenski forces their hand, Columbus will use time to their advantage. They’re in no rush to trade him. He’s still an elite defenseman — one of the best in the league. The bargaining power is entirely in their hands. If a trade is to occur, I imagine that Yzerman and co. will wait until the Blue Jackets see no other option.
If in Hypothetical Land a trade were to occur, I see it looking something like this:
To Detroit:
Zach Werenski
To Columbus:
2026 1st round pick
2027 1st round pick
Marco Kasper OR Nate Danielson
William Wallinder OR Shai Buium
The price tag is almost certainly going to be high, but I think Yzerman has a little bit more wiggle room with this trade than he did with Hughes. If I’m Yzerman, I’m letting the Blue Jackets take their pick of what they want or choose what draft picks they prefer (with some very minor exceptions). Werenski may not be a Norris-winner, but he’s been a runner-up several times. He’s still an incredibly talented defenseman with a knack for offense.
Do you think it’s worth considering? Why or why not?