According to NHL insider Frank Seravalli, the Anaheim Ducks are looking to trade the rights to John Carlson before the defenseman can jump ship via free agency on July 1. There is interest from teams for the pending UFA, but there’s a catch. Teams interested in Carlson are also interested in taking a run at Zach Werenski if he becomes available.
Seravalli notes, “…it sounds the handful of teams interested in jumping the queue for the top free agent D have irons in the fire at the moment. Potential of Werenski availability gives pause.”
In other words, teams have no issue dropping a later round pick for the chance to sign Carlson early. But they don’t want to sign the veteran if Werenski’s meeting with the Columbus Blue Jackets after the NHL Draft leads to a trade. If the Blue Jackets and Werenski agree that a fresh start is needed, teams want their cap space and draft capital available to take a run at the 2026 Norris Trophy winner.
This is interesting for a few reasons.
First, this assumes that the same teams that would like Carlson would be in the market for Werenski. One would assume that non-contending teams aren’t on this list. Werenski likely won’t leave Columbus for a team that isn’t playoff bound or among the favorites to compete for a Stanley Cup.
Second, this means a lot of teams out east are going to be in the market for Werenski. Carlson told the Ducks he wanted to go back east, and many assumed that meant Tampa Bay or Florida.
There are only so many teams Werenski will consider, assuming he even becomes available. It’s a bold strategy on the part of teams that might have a shot at Carlson but are hesitating on the off chance that a stud defenseman, who isn’t technically even available, would choose them.
Next: $7M Forwards on Oilers’ Radar Amid Darnell Nurse Trade Talks
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