Columbus Blue Jackets
· 2026-07-04
The Columbus Blue Jackets are losing their captain Boone Jenner to the Washington Capitals.
Boone Jenner is leaving the Columbus Blue Jackets after 13 years with the team.
He signed a four-year contract with the Washington Capitals worth $5.75 million per season.
Jenner's departure leaves a significant gap in the team's lineup, with his versatility and leadership abilities being a key part of the Blue Jackets' success.
He was the team's all-time leader in games played and seasons, with 808 games and 13 seasons.
The Blue Jackets are currently 11th in the Eastern Conference with a 40-30 record, on a L2 streak.
The Blue Jackets will need to fill the gap left by Jenner's departure, either through a trade, free-agent addition, or promotion from within their organizational depth.
Jenner's injury history and increasing age made the Jackets hesitant to offer a contract extension long enough to gain his approval.
He initially wanted a five-year deal and got four out of Washington.
The Blue Jackets struck gold when selecting Jenner in the second round of the 2011 NHL Draft.
He made his NHL debut for the Jackets on October 4, 2013, at Nationwide Arena.
Jenner scored the first two goals of his career four games later and quickly became a lineup regular.
He can play all three forward positions, wins draws at a 54% clip, and plays around the net.
Defensively, Jenner is an astute penalty-killing forward with fantastic anticipation skills.
The drawback was a consistent inability to finish chances to score key goals.
But his departure will still be felt by the Blue Jackets.
And the team will need to find a way to replace his production and leadership.
So the Blue Jackets will be looking to fill the gap left by Jenner's departure.
Jenner's legacy with the Blue Jackets includes being the team's all-time leader in games played and seasons.
He ranks third in goals, assists, points, multi-point games, multi-goal games, and game-winning goals.
Jenner ranks second all-time in power-play goals and shots on goal.
The Blue Jackets will need to find a way to replace his production and leadership.
He will be missed by the team and its fans.
The Washington Capitals will be getting a talented and experienced player.
But the Blue Jackets will need to move on and find a way to replace him.