Zach Werenski emerged as one of the biggest names discussed on the trade market this summer, with Toronto among the teams linked to the Norris Trophy winner.
It's easy to see why this would be the case. The 6'2” defenseman had 22 goals and 59 assists last season, totalling 81 points. He was one of the few bright spots on a Blue Jackets team that continues to miss the postseason.
Going into July 1st, the Toronto Maple Leafs were one of the teams interested in the defenseman. In fact, according to TSN, the Leafs were the only Canadian team Werenski was interested in being traded to.
Zach Werenski talks put Matthew Knies at the center of Toronto's decision
Unfortunately, for Leafs general manager John Chayka, players like Werenski do not come cheap. The Blue Jackets are not just going to accept any old trade offer. They want big-time players in return, who can join their roster and make an impact immediately.
Darren Dreger reported that Matthew Knies was a key name in the discussions, forcing Toronto to weigh whether upgrading to an elite No. 1 defenseman was worth sacrificing one of its best young forwards.
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The Blue Jackets' trade demands left Chayka asking himself a very important question. Do you keep one of your most important young forwards, or do you acquire one of the best number one defensive options in the entire league?
It's a tough decision to make. After all, Werenski won the Norris Trophy this past season. Not to mention, with Morgan Rielly falling off on both sides of the ice, the team needs to supplement offense from its blueline. This is especially true on the power play, which had a success rate of 21.3 percent during the 2025-26 season. This was only good enough for 15th in the NHL.
On the flip side of the equation, you have Matthew Knies, who still has tremendous upside. At 23 years old, there are a few years left before he reaches his prime. This season, he could be playing alongside Auston Matthews and Gavin McKenna. He has point-per-game potential, and that's a difficult asset for Chayka to give up.
Keeping Knies pushed the Leafs to a different blue-line build
Whatever happened in the Werenski discussions, Toronto ultimately chose a different path. Rather than moving Knies for an established No. 1 defenceman, Chayka acquired Darren Raddysh and committed eight years and $68 million to a right-shot blueliner coming off a 70-point season.
The 30-year-old right-handed defenseman is exactly what the Leafs needed. A solid number two who could slot in next to Morgan Rielly on the top pairing. Meanwhile, his 22 goals and 70 points during the 2025-26 season are proof that Raddysh can carry a heavy offensive load.
The financial difference between the two defencemen is only part of the equation. Raddysh carries an $8.5-million cap hit, while Werenski sits above $9.5 million, but a Werenski deal also could have required Toronto to surrender Knies and additional value. Chayka instead kept his young power forward and added Raddysh for a fifth-round pick.
Toronto chose the lower-acquisition-cost path: keep Knies, preserve its premium young forward, and add Raddysh without surrendering a core roster player. Whether that proves better than landing the reigning Norris winner will depend on how sustainable Raddysh's breakout becomes and how much Knies continues to develop.
Do you believe Zach Werenski would have been a good fit for the Toronto Maple Leafs?
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