Chasing Zach Werenski could cost the Maple Leafs more than they realize

If the Toronto Maple Leafs want Zach Werenski it's going to cost them a lot, and it's going beyond Matthew Knies but eating into their future aspirations.

Zach Werenski has been subject to trade speculation over the past few days with it really ramping up only a day before free agency. He rejected a trade to the Dallas Stars that involved Thomas Harley, and while the Blue Jackets and Stars had verbally agreed to a deal, it's Wrenski who holds all the cards.

It's reportedly coming down to Toronto and Tampa Bay as the two destinations that Werenski prefers to go to, and if the Maple Leafs were really trying to make a big splash this offseason, then trading for the reigning Norris Trophy winner is certainly one way to do it.

The Toronto Maple Leafs, yes, they are in the mix. Matthew Knies would be part of any package that Columbus would look at, but I don't know if the Leafs have enough assets to entice the Blue Jackets. - Pierre LeBrun

Zach Werenski is going to cost Toronto Matthew Knies and that's just the start

But that isn't going to be a cheap package nor is it going to be a player the Blue Jackets get rid of so easily, and with talks about Matthew Knies being part of the package, we're just starting to reach the foundations of a potential deal.

On top of Knies, it is very likely the Maple Leafs will need to forgo their next few first round draft picks, but with a win-now mentality and the chance to add someone of Werenski's calibre, it may certainly be worth it (especially over say, Brandon Carlo). Then you're looking at youth and rebuilding a team so it's likely that the Blue Jackets want Easton Cowan or Ben Danford.

They could even target a goaltender like Dennis Hildeby and Artur Akhtyamov, which would help Toronto's goaltending logjam a little bit though if the team strikes out on adding Sergei Bobrovsky to the fold, they are going to be seriously hampered in net.

A potential package that involves Knies, Cowan/Danford, and two firsts is certainly a haul for the Blue Jackets, and fans of the Maple Leafs may look at that as an overpayment, though if he is willing to extend in Toronto then it may be worth it.

Werenski is worth it even if you're giving up the future

This isn't Morgan Rielly we're talking about. Wrenski is worth every penny of his $9.25-million AAV hit and he's been one of the premier offensive defenders in the entire world since he arrived in the NHL. He's going to transform the lineup and give Toronto a weapon they've never had before; with Darren Raddysh right behind him.

Losing Knies hurts for sure, and his contract and skillset are both a unicorn in today's modern game, but the team is also going to have an influx of wingers, and if the team targets guys like Patrick Kane and Mason Marchment to fill out the top-six, then Knies is frankly - sort of expendable.

But only for a player like Werenski, and if Columbus tries to squeeze John Chayka of everything then it could very well backfire especially if they lose Knies and Cowan/Danford. Werenski however is in the thick of his prime, is going to be on much more offensively potent team, and has shown signs that he wants to win in Toronto.

This could be the potential power-play that Toronto runs with if Werenski comes in:

McKenna - Matthews - Nylander

Werenski - Raddysh

Are you joking? You have a 60+ goal scorer in Matthews, one of the most dangerous shots with Nylander, and a playmaking guru in McKenna. Then you have Werenski who can make a pass to anyone, shoot with impeccable accuracy and if things get hairy? He tosses over to Raddysh to let it fly.

We could see one of the most dominant power-play units in recent memory and adding Werenski is one of the biggest moves that anyone can make.

But it's going to cost you a king's ransom, and you have to decide whether winning now is more important than winning more consistently down the line.

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