When it comes to Blue Jackets captain and franchise leader in games played Boone Jenner, any questions that arise each off-season almost never have to do with his play on the ice. His career thus far has been defined by his consistency and leadership. And this time around, the conversation is no different.
Jenner wrapped up his 2025-26 season with 13 goals and 25 assists, totaling 38 points in just 67 games. At 0.56 points per game, his familiar on-ice production falls right in line with what we have come to expect from the blue collar middle-six center. But it's not just counting stats that made him a valuable member of the team yet again.
Despite the amount of coaching, managerial, and other personnel changes Boone has seen over his 13 season 808 game career in Columbus, he remains a trustworthy swiss-army knife type of player. He has proven proven over the years that he can be effective in any position from top line center to 4th line depth, penalty kill or even the occasional powerplay.
In addition, what elevates his role from a typical utility player to a captain are his intangibles. Physicality, strong net-front presence, shot blocking, as well as leadership in the locker room and community all contribute to what he has been able to achieve with this team.
The only real discernable knock on his value was something that plagued him yet again at the beginning of this year. Like everything else in his toolkit, the injury bug has unfortunately been a consistent part of his time in Columbus as well, as he missed roughly a month of the season with an upper-body injury in November.
While it's true playing all 82 games in a season is difficult even for non-injury prone players, this is the 6th straight season that Jenner has missed 10+ games with an injury. Even so, no injury he has suffered has put his career in jeopardy, and he's managed to bounce back each time and play the way he always has.
Jenner has served as the team captain since 2021. While he may not be the typical captain in the sense of being the ticket-selling high-flying superstar, he follows the archetype of similar captains in the league such as Jordan Staal and Jared Spurgeon who can jump start a locker room with their dedication and spirit, and play any situation you need him to. But as previously stated, his current situation doesn't demand an analysis of what he brings on the ice.
What's next for Jenner?
With yet another shakeup to the coaching staff comes another alleged switch in team philosophy starting next season. Suffice it to say, the Blue Jackets have gone through a lot of changes recently, and one of their biggest yet may still be in store.
Boone Jenner enters this offseason as an unrestricted free agent. And while the CBJ is the only team he's known since beginning his career in 2013, the lack of a mid-season extension this year means there's no guarantee he returns.
At 32 years old, Jenner has begun the proverbial back-9 of his career. To this point, the furthest the Blue Jackets have been able to take him is one trip to the second round of the playoffs during the 2019 playoffs. Add a handful of disappointing first round exits and a full blown rebuild in the middle of that, and it's understandable to think he may look for a change of scenery.
However, it would also be hard to imagine the front office looking at his resume and not wanting to bring him back. Especially with the salary cap taking another big jump next season, Jenner would be more than affordable. He'd also most likely make more than he's ever made to this point judging by the lucrative 6-year $36M extension Charlie Coyle received this week.
The only argument I can see against wanting him back would be clearing room for another major player, or the age argument. After re-signing Coyle, and knowing a Marchment extension may be in the works as well, adding Jenner to that party would ensure 3 similar hard-working forwards on the wrong side of 30 would be here long term.
Each of those players are valuable in their own right and I'd personally love to see them back, but I understand the concern that all 3 big deals might not age gracefully.
I imagine Waddell and the front office will ultimately let Boone decide his fate. If he were to look for a new situation, it would certainly leave some big shoes to fill in the locker room. As the longest tenured current CBJ player, the sentiment seems to be that he is expected to be back. But it will be interesting to see what he ultimately decides to do this offseason.
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