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Werenski Blocks Dallas Deal, Wants Tampa or Toronto

7/2/2026

32 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Werenski Blocks Trade

Zach Werenski exercised his no-movement clause to block a trade to the Dallas Stars on July 1, 2026.
The 2025-26 Norris Trophy winner declined an extension and will remain under contract through 2027-28.
He prefers an Eastern Conference trade, naming Tampa Bay Lightning and Toronto Maple Leafs as options.
The Stars suffer a second offseason trade collapse after the blocked Jason Robertson move to Seattle.

Summary

Werenski Signs Deal

Zach Werenski's $57.5 million deal has a $9,583,334 cap hit through 2027-28, a no-movement clause and a ten-team no-trade list for 2027-28.
He won the 2025-26 Norris Trophy, became 10th defenseman to lead his team, helped USA win Olympic gold in 2026 and World gold in 2025.
Drafted eighth in 2015, Werenski has 135 goals, 465 points in 642 games, 23-goal, 82-point season in 2024-25, and is entering his 11th NHL season.

History

Historical Context

After the NHL ratified a new collective bargaining agreement in September 2013, the league added salary-retention rules and contract provisions that gave players leverage to negotiate no-movement clauses. The Boston Bruins used such a clause to lock defenseman Zdeno Chára at $7.5 million per year, and Zach Werenski invoked his clause to block a trade to the Dallas Stars, steering toward Tampa Bay or Toronto.

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Werenski Blocks Trade

Zach Werenski exercised his no-movement clause to block a trade to the Dallas Stars on July 1, 2026.
The 2025-26 Norris Trophy winner declined an extension and will remain under contract through 2027-28.
He prefers an Eastern Conference trade, naming Tampa Bay Lightning and Toronto Maple Leafs as options.
The Stars suffer a second offseason trade collapse after the blocked Jason Robertson move to Seattle.

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