San Jose Sharks and Anaheim Ducks emerge as top landing spots for $57.5M Columbus Blue Jackets’ defenseman.(Image via X) The Columbus Blue Jackets’ defenseman Zach Werenski has been a regular name concerning trade rumors as he eyes rival teams. Even though the star player still has a few more seasons left with the team, it seems the San Jose Sharks and the Anaheim Ducks have emerged as potential landing spots for the star player.CategoryDetailsPlayerZach WerenskiCurrent TeamColumbus Blue JacketsRumored TeamsToronto Maple Leafs, Dallas Stars, Philadelphia Flyers, Carolina Hurricanes, San Jose Sharks, Anaheim DucksContract Status2 Years Remaining (UFA in 2028, Full NMC applies to the 2026–27 season)Salary Cap Hit (New Team)$9,583,333 Average Annual Value (AAV)Trade LikelihoodHigh (Driven by player unlikely to sign an extension and seeking a Stanley Cup contender)Latest Insider UpdateSan Jose Sharks, and Anaheim Ducks have emerged as potential landing spots for the elite defenseman ahead of the new seasonPotential ReturnEstablished high-end NHL roster players only; Columbus is strictly refusing “futures” packages consisting solely of draft picks and prospects
Which teams are interested in Zach Werenski?
In the last few weeks, a number of rival teams have been linked to the Columbus Blue Jackets’ defenseman Zach Werenski. But as per NHL insiders, it seems the San Jose Sharks and the Anaheim Ducks have emerged as potential landing spots for the star player ahead of the new season.
What are insiders saying about the trade rumors?
A few hours ago, Auston Nivison of CBS Sports noted in a recent report, “As the newly-crowned Norris Trophy winner and an Olympic gold medalist, Werenski is exactly the type of star the Sharks should be targeting as they ascend to contender status. Even with a barren blue line and no depth at forward, the Sharks fell just four points shy of a playoff spot last season. Werenski would kill two birds with one stone in that regard. He would give San Jose a bona fide No. 1 defenseman while also giving the offense more firepower — both at even strength and on the power play. The Sharks have the cap space and the assets to make this happen, and they should be ringing Waddell’s phone off the hook.”Auston Nivison of CBS Sports added, “Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier will both receive gargantuan raises this summer, but the Ducks have $44.6 million in cap space. That will give them plenty of breathing room to acquire Werenski and sign their two young superstars. Anaheim has two first-round picks and two second-round picks in last year’s draft, and they have a decent prospect pool to pull from. If the Blue Jackets want established NHL players in exchange for Werenski, that could complicate the deal for Anaheim. The Ducks don’t have many players in their prime that they would — or should — be willing to trade.”
Contract details and salary cap implications
Trading Zach Werenski will free up a whopping $9.5 million from the Columbus Blue Jackets’ cap space if no salary is retained.
How could the trade impact the teams?
For the San Jose Sharks, trading for Zach Werenski speeds up the team’s rebuild and heavily upgrades their struggling power play. The star player is also relatively affordable for the San Jose Sharks.For the Anaheim Ducks, trading for Zach Werenski remains affordable as he could be an elite, award-winning top defenseman to lead their young core.