If the Maple Leafs want to trade for Zach Werenski then they may need to be patient as Elliotte Friedman poured some cold water on any potential deal.
Right now, the Maple Leafs' defensive corps is dealing with some pretty big losses. Chris Tanev is out for the next little bit, Jake McCabe just went down, and while Oliver Ekman-Larsson is so far healthy - he has left two games already this year.
It's not just the injuries, as the team needs to get more offense from their back end and that's pointed them back in the direction of Zach Werenski. With the Blue Jackets struggling and Werenski potentially unsure if he wants to extend long-term with how this season is going - another trade could be on the horizon.
Friedman ices the Werenski trade rumours
The Maple Leafs could certainly use an elite blue liner like Werenski and his familiarity with Auston Matthews can only make his bounce back season even better. Imagine the two on the power play? Absolute magic.
But that's what Leafs fans may need to do for the foreseeable future, and imagine Werenski on the team because according to Elliotte Friedman, you can't get too excited.
Friedman explained that there really isn't a Werenski watch as of yet, and any potential trades are nothing more than speculation:
Everybody's wondering if a Werenski watch will start up again. But I think it's premature for that.
That's unfortunate news if you're a Maple Leafs fan hoping for Werenski though without a piece like Matthew Knies, it's going to be hard to see who the team is giving up. Ben Danford and Easton Cowan are non-negotiable, as many picks as possible, and maybe even NHL-level talent like McCabe.
Is the price to pay for Werenski even going to be worth it?
Considering what you're getting, absolutely but it does come with a lot of potential to go wrong. Werenski is going to transform the lineup but what about the postseason? Does he show up then or will it be another matter of a big star not performing? He only has 13 points in 29 games - not exactly a needle-mover there.
Then comes the mega-deal that will need to paid in a couple of seasons and it's question of if the team can afford him as wells Auston Matthews, who too needs a new contract at the same time.
If there was a way to get an extended rental out of Werenski, where he helps the team now then it could work out but what if he neglects to re-sign? Toronto is now out of top assets with possibly nothing to show for it.
Werenski's potential to help Toronto cruise through the regular season is nothing short of elite, but with no real assurance he will push them to the next level in the postseason, and a heavy price to pay, maybe it's best that there isn't a Werenski watch - at least for now.
Do you think the Maple Leafs have any shot at trading for Zach Werenski?
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