Zach Werenski remains tied to Glen Gulutzan's Stars as trade chatter around Dallas refuses to disappear.
The latest fuel came from Jeff Marek, who was asked by Keith Kavanaugh whether he still believes a Stars deal for Werenski remains on the table. Marek's answer was direct: he does.
That keeps one of the summer's bigger blue-line scenarios alive. Dallas was widely linked to Werenski in July, with Thomas Harley reportedly discussed as part of a potential return to Columbus.
Harley's name makes the possibility far more serious than a speculative package built around distant futures. Dallas would be giving up a major piece of its own blue line to land Werenski.
For Stars general manager Jim Nill, that would make this a major roster reshuffle rather than a simple addition. Dallas would essentially be choosing which defenseman it wants anchoring the group moving forward.
Columbus general manager Don Waddell holds the other side of that equation. There is no indication from Marek's latest comment that a trade is completed or even close, only that he doesn't believe the possibility has disappeared.
Zach Werenski blockbuster resurfaces as Stars remain firmly in the mix
Werenski isn't the type of player Dallas could reasonably expect to acquire without sending serious value back. That's why Harley being connected to the talks gives the rumor weight.
It also creates an interesting hockey decision for Gulutzan. Swapping Harley for Werenski would change the identity of the Stars' blue line immediately rather than simply adding another option to it.
Dallas would gain a defenseman capable of taking on major minutes and driving play from the back end, but the price would remove a younger defenseman already established inside its own structure.
That makes any additional pieces important. The earlier reporting suggested Harley may not have been the entire proposed return, leaving open the question of how much more Columbus would demand.
Marek's latest answer doesn't guarantee those earlier discussions are active today. What it does is push back against the idea that Dallas should be crossed off as a possible Werenski destination.
And with both clubs having plenty to consider before the season begins, the longer Werenski's name remains connected to Dallas, the harder this scenario becomes to dismiss as ordinary offseason noise.
For now, Harley is the name to watch. If Dallas is truly willing to put him into the conversation, the Stars have the kind of centerpiece that could keep Werenski trade talks alive.
Should Dallas trade Thomas Harley in a package for Zach Werenski?
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