Biggest 'What If' NHL Trade Rumors That Never Happened in 2026

Zach Werenski reportedly was offered a trade to the Dallas Stars in June 2026 but decided to stay with the Columbus Blue Jackets after discussions with team officials. The trade would have involved Thomas Harley and was nearly finalized after the Blue Jackets accepted the deal, but Werenski ultimately refused to sign off on it. Multiple teams, including Pittsburgh, were reportedly involved in discussions about potential trades during the summer of 2026.