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Columbus star defenseman Werenski formally requests trade

PUBLISHED Jun 30, 2026, 10:01 AM ET

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Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski has requested a trade just weeks after winning the 2025-26 James Norris Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s top defenseman. The request emerged during NHL Draft weekend in late June 2026, immediately making the 28-year-old a major focus of the offseason market ahead of free agency opening on July 1. Werenski has played his entire 10-year NHL career with Columbus since being drafted eighth overall in 2015. He is entering the fifth season of a six-year, $57.5 million contract signed in July 2021 and has informed general manager Don Waddell he will not sign an extension beyond 2027-28.

By Sarah Whitman | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

2015 Blue Jackets draft Werenski eighth overall
July 2021 Werenski signs six-year extension
2024-25 Werenski leads Columbus in scoring
2025-26 Season posts 81 points in 75 games
June 2026 Wins Norris Trophy over Makar, Dahlin
Late June 2026 Trade request surfaces during draft
July 1, 2026 Teams prepare for free agency
2027-28 Current contract scheduled to expire

News Intelligence

Werenski's trade request could shake up the NHL. If you're a Blue Jackets fan, this could mean losing a key player. If your team is in the market for a top defenseman, they might have a shot at Werenski. Keep an eye on trade talks.