The Writing Is on the Wall: Zach Werenski's Days in Columbus Appear Numbered
The Columbus Blue Jackets have seen this movie before. A franchise star grows frustrated with losing, the whispers get louder, and eventually the player finds his way out of Ohio. Now, all signs point to Norris Trophy winner Zach Werenski being the next marquee name to leave Columbus, even if the formal trade request has not yet arrived.
General manager Don Waddell addressed the media Thursday ahead of Friday's NHL Draft, and while he tried to keep things close to the vest, the picture that emerged was far from reassuring for Blue Jackets faithful. Waddell confirmed he plans to sit down with Werenski sometime after the draft to gauge where the 28-year-old defenseman stands, but acknowledged there is "no definitive plan" regarding the star blueliner's future with the organization.
A Star in Limbo
Waddell's carefully chosen words did little to quell the growing sense of inevitability surrounding Werenski's departure. The GM stated that certain matters "should probably stay internal" and that conversations with Werenski's agent, Judd Moldaver, have taken place without producing any concrete direction. When asked whether it would have been smarter to hold the meeting before the draft to keep all options open, Waddell insisted the situation has no bearing on their draft strategy.
Perhaps the most telling detail, though, comes from league insiders. TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported that while Werenski has not formally requested a trade, teams across the NHL believe that request is coming within the next 12 months. That sentiment appears to be widely shared around the league, painting a picture of a player whose patience with a perennial non-contender is wearing thin.
Werenski just completed one of the finest seasons of his career, tallying 22 goals and 59 assists for 81 points in 75 games. That performance earned him the first Norris Trophy of his career, placing him second among all NHL defensemen in scoring behind only Edmonton's Evan Bouchard. He is a franchise cornerstone entering the prime of his career, and therein lies the problem for Columbus. A player of Werenski's caliber wants to compete for championships, and the Blue Jackets have not reached the postseason since 2020, when they were bounced by Tampa Bay in five games.
His contract situation adds another layer of complexity. Werenski has two years remaining on a deal carrying an average annual value of $9.58 million. A full no-movement clause protects him during the upcoming 2026-27 season, but that shifts to a modified no-trade clause the following year, when he would be able to submit a list of 10 approved trade destinations. That timeline gives the Blue Jackets a narrow window to act if they want to maximize their return.
A Familiar Pattern in Columbus
Waddell himself drew a parallel to other high-profile situations around the league, referencing Jack Eichel's trade from Buffalo to Vegas and noting that such scenarios are not unprecedented. He also alluded to a situation "some place north of us" that he had been monitoring closely, a likely nod to other American-born stars like Quinn Hughes, Brady Tkachuk, and Dylan Larkin who have recently been involved in trade discussions or moves. The trend of elite U.S.-born players seeking greener pastures has been impossible to ignore, and Werenski fits the profile perfectly.
Waddell tried to offer some optimism to the fanbase, pointing to steps the organization has taken over the past two seasons and expressing confidence in head coach Rick Bowness. He emphasized the team's goal of upgrading the forward group this offseason, noting that the 14th overall pick could be used as trade capital. But those promises of incremental progress ring hollow when your best player appears to have one foot out the door.
The GM was careful never to confirm a formal trade request, and that distinction matters in the short term. But the broader reality is hard to ignore. A Norris Trophy-winning defenseman in his prime, stuck on a team that cannot make the playoffs, with a contract structure that will soon give him significant say over where he plays next. Everything about the situation suggests Werenski's time in Columbus is winding down. The only remaining questions are when and where, not if.
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
