Insider Says Dallas Still Believes In Zach Werenski Deal
Asked by Keith Kavanaugh whether he thinks a Stars deal for Werenski is off the table, Jeff Marek's answer was: 'Nope, I don't.'
How This Started
The reigning Norris Trophy winner informed the Columbus Blue Jackets he wouldn't sign another contract with the team once his current deal expires after 2027-28.
That set off a scramble, and on the eve of free agency, Columbus and Dallas agreed in principle on a trade built around 24-year-old defenseman Thomas Harley heading to the Blue Jackets.
Keith Kavanaugh: You mentioned...you still don't think the Stars' deal is off the table for Zach Werenski...
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) August 8, 2026
Jeff Marek: Nope, I don't
- The Sheet (8/4)
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NHLRR: In July it was widely reported that the Stars tabled Thomas Harley and perhaps other pieces for Werenski, who…
Werenski, who carries a full no-movement clause, used it to reject the deal. Per Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, Werenski wants to stay in the Eastern Conference, with the Tampa Bay Lightning believed to be his preferred destination. Since that was revealed, however, Werenski came out publicly and said he wanted to stay in Columbus.
It marked the second time in a week a Dallas blockbuster collapsed at the finish line, after Jason Robertson had similarly rejected a sign-and-trade to Seattle just days earlier.
The Fit
The logic behind a Werenski trade to Dallas never really went away.
He just posted a career year with 22 goals and 81 points in 75 games, beating out Cale Makar for the Norris, and pairing him with Miro Heiskanen would give the Stars arguably the best top-pairing duo in the league.
After collecting his first Norris Trophy, Zach Werenski (@BlueJacketsNHL) retains the #️⃣3️⃣ spot on the Top 20 Defensemen Right Now list!
— NHL Media (@NHLMedia) August 9, 2026
📺: #NHLTopPlayers on NHL Network pic.twitter.com/cgcRB7OMXQ
The Athletic's Aaron Portzline suggested on the DLLS Stars podcast that Columbus may not have a real choice long-term if Werenski won't budge on an extension.
"I don't see [Columbus] holding onto him for that last year if there are no guarantees of a contract," Portzline said. "You can't let that player just walk."
The Complication
Any Stars pursuit would need Columbus to either get Werenski to reconsider the East Coast question or find enough value in a package, potentially still centered on Harley, to make Dallas the exception to his stated wish list.
Marek's comments don't confirm any renewed talks are actually happening. But, one of the league's most plugged-in insiders still isn't ready to cross Dallas off the list, even after a very public rejection just weeks ago.
