The Zach Werenski situation has gone from active trade chatter to a full stop, at least for now. Columbus explored options and even put one scenario in front of the defenseman, with Dallas named as the destination, but Werenski turned it down after talking it over with his family.
That kicked off a loud round of speculation, with plenty of teams getting tied to him almost immediately. The volume clearly got to the point where both sides needed to back off and reset.
Werenski now says he’s open to staying put, and he’s not pushing for a move. “As I’ve thought about things and discussed everything with my wife and family, we want to be in Columbus,” said Werenski.
Still, this doesn’t read like something that’s fully settled. Columbus has bigger decisions ahead, and there’s still real uncertainty about where Werenski ultimately sees his future.
The Capitals are dealing with a different kind of question involving Alex Ovechkin. Washington’s free-agent activity led some to wonder whether his NHL run was over, but GM Chris Patrick says that may not be the case. He told ESPN the team believes it can still make the money work, and a bonus-heavy structure looks like the cleanest path.
There’s also no final word from Ovechkin himself on whether he plans to keep playing. The latest update adds one more wrinkle: the Capitals have signed Ovechkin to a one-year deal with an AAV of $4.25 million and bonuses that will see him make $9 million next season.
Patrick Kane remains another name floating through the rumor mill. One report has a Buffalo deal potentially close, and the fit makes at least some sense on paper: he’s from the area, he’s been linked to the Sabres before, and Buffalo looks more competitive now. With Detroit’s situation also unraveling, the timing is what’s fueling the chatter.
But this one comes with the usual warning label. There are conflicting reports saying Kane could return to the Red Wings, and some have even floated a Chicago reunion, though that sounds unlikely.
Darnell Nurse’s move to San Jose also helps frame how Edmonton handled its own business. Nurse said his time with the Oilers had probably reached its end, and he widened his trade list before settling on a westward move. He initially wanted to go east, but after talking to people he trusted, the message was consistent: ‘San Jose was a perfect fit.’
Edmonton’s approach was deliberate. The Oilers didn’t want to keep salary on the books, and they waited until they had a deal that gave them the flexibility they wanted on the first day of free agency. Ryan Shea had already been on their radar before the Nurse trade was completed, which is why that signing came just minutes after the move.
The Oilers also added Devon Levi in a trade with Buffalo and signed Frederik Andersen to a one-year deal. Before Andersen arrived, Stan Bowman was asked what that meant for Tristan Jarry, and he said Jarry will be back next season. That leaves Edmonton in a crowded spot, especially with Levi needing waivers, which he won’t clear.
So the Oilers are sitting on a goalie situation that’s hard to ignore: three capable options, and a combined cap hit of a little over $7 million. Whether that’s a short-term competition or a setup for more movement is still the open question.
In Other News...
Capitals Add More Camp Pressure With Latest Depth Moves
The Capitals kept working the margins of their roster with another round of depth signings, bringing in forwards Jonny Brodzinski and Joshua Dunne along with defenseman Justin Holl. The moves are aimed at giving Washington more options at center and on the blue line after a stretch of injuries and trades thinned out those spots, and they add more bodies to a camp that already figures to have plenty of competition.
Brodzinski and Dunne now have a chance to fight for spots when camp opens, while Holl gives the club an experienced stopgap on defense. The forward mix could get especially crowded, with several young players in the organization pushing for opening-night consideration, so these additions may end up doing more than simply filling practice jerseys. [Read more 🡒]
Capitals Fans Suddenly Have To Face The End Of Ovechkin's Era
The Capitals have spent the offseason acting like a new chapter is coming, even if no one around the team is ready to say it out loud. Washington has been busy reshaping the roster with an eye toward the future, and the uncertainty around Alex Ovechkin only sharpens the sense that the organization is preparing for life after the biggest star in franchise history.
For fans, that reality is tough to ignore because the end of Ovechkins era has always felt like something that could be delayed, not something that arrives with a shrug. The public chatter has only added to the intrigue, with one prominent insider pointing toward the likelihood that he is done in the NHL while another still sees a return down the road, leaving the Capitals and their supporters waiting on the one answer that matters most. [Read more 🡒]
Capitals Just Got Ovechkins Long Awaited Retirement Answer
Alex Ovechkins latest deal keeps one of the NHLs defining faces tied to the Capitals, adding another layer to a career that already sits in a category of its own. Washington re-signed its captain to a contract extension that ensures he remains part of the franchise picture into the 2026-27 season, the next chapter in a run that has already stretched across two decades and a stack of league records.
The financial terms reflect both his status and the teams willingness to keep the door open as long as he can still impact games. The contract includes bonuses tied to appearances, a structure that gives the Capitals some flexibility while leaving plenty of intrigue around how Ovechkin will be used and what his role will look like as he approaches yet another milestone season in Washington. [Read more 🡒]