Werenski Trade to Toronto is High Risk/High Reward

The Toronto Maple Leafs will have a challenging summer. New general manager John Chayka has his work cut out for him. He needs to turn things around quickly and put together a team that can get back into the playoffs. Using the assets Toronto has, he must find a way to convince captain Auston Matthews to stick around beyond the two remaining years of his contract.

The free agent market is not great this year, so Chayka might be forced to upgrade through trades. One trade that could certainly help is acquiring Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski. He is the reigning Norris Trophy winner.

Werenski is High Risk/High Reward

In a recent article from The Athletic’s Jonas Siegel, he wrote about the possibility of Toronto trading young winger Matthew Knies. He speculates that the Maple Leafs could use Knies to solve the problem of not having a true number-one defenseman.

At first, Siegel suggests someone like veteran Roman Josi. The Nashville Predators have new management coming in, and could trade Josi, who is 36 years old. However, he still managed to register 13 goals and 42 assists for 55 points in 68 games last season.

Then Siegel mentions Zach Werenski as someone who might become available. If the current Norris Trophy winner for best defenseman does become available, Toronto will show interest. The question is, do they have enough assets to offer the Blue Jackets to make a deal acceptable?

“Now it would arguably be unwise to deal Knies, 23, for Josi, who just turned 36. So, what about a much bigger, better, age-appropriate swing if it were at all possible: Norris Trophy nominee Zach Werenski?” Siegel wrote.

Can the Maple Leafs Afford to Acquire Werenski?

The 28-year-old defenseman is under contract for two more seasons, just like Auston Matthews. He does have a no-movement clause, but it’s being reported that Toronto is one of the teams he is interested in. However, for Chayka and the Maple Leafs, a trade involving Knies for Werenski is a huge gamble.

If Toronto can win the Stanley Cup with Werenski during his two years, the deal is worth it. If they don’t win, and both Werenski and Matthews leave in two years, then you’re without them and Knies. It’s a very high risk/high reward type of trade.

So, what would the Leafs need to send to Columbus to land Werenski in Toronto? Any deal will start with Knies; that much we know, but what else needs to be included? Considering the fact that Columbus seems to only want players who are ready to play in the NHL now, it limits what Toronto can offer. However, here is a possible trade scenario between the Maple Leafs and Blue Jackets.

To Toronto:
Zach Werenski
2028 First-Round Pick

To Columbus:
Matthews Knies
RFA Rights to Nick Robertson
Ben Danford
2027 First-Round Pick (Colorado)

I have no idea if this gets a deal done, but losing Knies and Danford is a huge loss for the Maple Leafs. One would hope that Toronto only makes the trade if Werenski agrees to sign an extension.