Zach Werenski rejects a trade to the Stars, the latest UFA speculation, and updates on Connor Hellebuyck, Dylan Larkin, Vincent Trocheck, and Alexander Nikishin in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

ZACH WERENSKI REJECTS A TRADE TO THE STARS

TSN: Chris Johnston and Darren Dreger reported that Zach Werenski was presented with an opportunity to be traded to the Dallas Stars. However, the 28-year-old Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman was unwilling to waive his no-movement clause to facilitate the deal.

Earlier in the day, Pierre LeBrun speculated that the Stars could be among the teams interested in Werenski. He speculated that defenseman Thomas Harley could be heading to Columbus in the deal.

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (NHL Images)

According to Dreger, Werenski would prefer to be traded to an Eastern Conference club. LeBrun had previously mentioned the Tampa Bay Lightning and Toronto Maple Leafs as potential destinations. However, he wasn’t sure if those clubs could meet the Blue Jackets’ asking price.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Lia Assimakopoulos cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, who said the Stars and Blue Jackets had a verbal agreement in place that would’ve seen Harley go to the Blue Jackets as the centerpiece of a return that might’ve included other players and draft picks.

The deal was reached on Monday night, but the Stars had no idea that Werenski would veto the move hours before it was to be finalized on Wednesday morning.

Werenski has two years remaining on his contract with an average annual value of over $9.5 million.

This is the second trade within a week involving the Stars to be vetoed by a player. Their attempt to send winger Jason Robertson to the Seattle Kraken was nixed because the 26-year-old winger wouldn’t agree to sign a contract extension with the Kraken.

THE ATHLETIC: Chris Johnston and Aaron Portzline report Werenski hasn’t formally requested a trade, but he’s had multiple discussions with management since April about his uncertain future beyond the expiration of his contract.

The Blue Jackets seek a return built around a player or players who can help them immediately.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports a rumor making the rounds is that the Werenski camp is so upset over recent developments that all trade possibilities will be rejected. He believes that’s what happened with the Stars. However, Friedman thinks that might be “short-term hot-headiness, as opposed to realistic long-term outcome.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Stars’ offer of Harley in a package deal would’ve helped to address Werenski’s absence from the Blue Jackets’ defense corps. However, that deal won’t be revisited if the Norris Trophy winner prefers to remain in the East.

Werenski’s rumored unhappiness over what’s transpired could be the result of someone telling the press about his reluctance to sign an extension. If it came from the Blue Jackets’ side, it could irreparably damage his relationship with management and grease the skids for his departure.

The Maple Leafs could offer up Matthew Knies as part of a package offer for Werenski. He won’t fill that gaping hole on Columbus’ blueline, but he would replace Kirill Marchenko if his rumored unwillingness to sign an extension forces the Blue Jackets to part with him. In that scenario, Marchenko could be used as trade bait for a top-four defenseman.

LeBrun also mentioned that the Philadelphia Flyers were among the teams that badly wanted to get into the bidding for Werenski. However, they would probably be more interested in offering up draft picks and prospects, which wouldn’t address the Blue Jackets’ immediate need.

LATEST UFA SPECULATION BEFORE THE FREE AGENT MARKET OPENS

TSN: Chris Johnston believes the Maple Leafs could be among the suitors for Sergei Bobrovsky when the free-agent market opens today at noon EDT. The 37-year-old goaltender was unable to agree to a contract extension with the Florida Panthers, who acquired Jacob Markstrom from the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun shared Johnston’s belief that the Maple Leafs could attempt to sign Bobrovsky. We’ll find out soon enough if they’ll take the risk.

Johnston also believes the Vegas Golden Knights are on track to re-sign defenseman Rasmus Andersson after some recent cost-cutting moves. Since Friday, they’ve traded away Pavel Dorofeyev, Akira Schmid and Kaeden Korczek, freeing up cap room to retain the 28-year-old Andersson.

Regarding John Carlson, Johnston believed negotiations with the Carolina Hurricanes were trending toward re-signing him. He’d like a chance to win the Stanley Cup again, and the newly crowned Cup champions can give him that opportunity.

Johnston believes Jacob Trouba shouldn’t have much trouble finding a new club when the market opens today. The 32-year-old right-shot defenseman could be enticing to clubs that were hoping to sign Carlson, such as the Tampa Bay Lightning, Flyers, and Boston Bruins.

As for Patrick Kane, Johnston noted that he was interested in returning with the Detroit Red Wings. However, he wondered if the 38-year-old winger might take a look to see if other clubs might be interested, such as his hometown club, the Buffalo Sabres.

UPDATE ON CONNOR HELLEBUYCK

THE WINNIPEG SUN: Massimo De Luca-Taronno reports the Buffalo Sabres remain in the running to acquire Connor Hellebuyck from the Winnipeg Jets.

The two clubs were working on a deal that would’ve sent the 33-year-old goaltender to Buffalo, but it fell through hours before the opening day of the draft on Friday.

Interest in the three-time Vezina Trophy winner and Olympic gold medalist from the Carolina Hurricanes has reportedly cooled down. Meanwhile, the Florida Panthers are out of the sweepstakes following their acquisitions of Jacob Markstrom and Akira Schmid earlier this week. The New Jersey Devils need a starter after trading Markstrom to Florida.

If Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff intends to trade Hellebuyck, it must be for a return that helps them get faster and younger. If he keeps Hellebuyck, he must make moves to address the club’s need for a second-line center, a bottom-six winger, and a suitable defense partner for Josh Morrissey.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman doesn’t buy into the “Hellebuyck to New Jersey” hype. He believes that’s not a contract that fits the profile of Devils GM Sunny Mehta. Meanwhile, Friedman said Hellebuyck would waive his no-movement clause to go to Buffalo, but a couple of sources said a trade to the Sabres last week wasn’t as close as originally believed, with some of the rumored returns from the Sabres having no-trade protection.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cheveldayoff was trying to find a suitable trade partner for Hellebucyk with that attempted move to Buffalo. While a lot of clubs would love to land the Jets’ starter, finding a return that meets Cheveldayoff’s asking price won’t be easy, especially if players won’t waive their no-trade clauses.

THE LATEST ON DYLAN LARKIN AND VINCENT TROCHECK

TSN: Darren Dreger reports Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin has been unwilling to expand his three-team trade list, which puts the Wings in a bind. They know they must move on from the 29-year-old center and can’t afford to take a backward step.

Dreger thinks that Larkin’s limited trade list has some teams revisiting their interest in New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck, whose 12-team no-trade list became a 10-team NTC as of July 1.

RANGERS ATTEMPTING TO ACQUIRE ALEXANDER NIKISHIN

SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: Cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reporting that he’d heard that the New York Rangers offered up draft picks, including a first-rounder, for Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin.

Friedman indicated that the Hurricanes want a player in return. He thinks the Rangers will try again.