As the Blue Jackets try to weed through the Zach Werenski and Kirill Marchenko situations, some other news has flown under the radar. Maybe most overlooked: both their captain and a top line forward have hit the free agency market.
CBJ without Captain Boone Jenner?
Boone Jenner has been a Blue Jacket for 16 years. Since being drafted by the team with pick #37 in the 2011 Draft, he has been a loyal, hard working ambassador for this team and the city of Columbus.
Despite declining play over the last few years, I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little bit emotional about Boone's possible departure. He's the franchise's all-time leader in games played (808), scoring 212 goals and 421 points in his time in the Union Blue.
At this point in his career, however, he and the team appear to have two different ideas of his role and upcoming contract. He hits the open market in a year where things are pretty thin, so the odds that he'll get everything he wants are pretty high.
Of course, there is still a chance he could re-sign and be back with the Blue Jackets next year. There is no telling what the market looks like, and things might not be greener on the other side. We'll see.
If he does move on, he will long be remembered as one of the greatest Blue Jackets to ever lace them up. His hard working, no-nonsense attitude made a big impact on this team and this city, for his entire time here.
Mason Marchment made a big difference in a short amount of time.
Mason Marchment was acquired by the Blue Jackets last December, in exchange for a couple of mid-round draft picks. He stepped into the lineup and made an immediate impact, playing on the top line alongside Adam Fantilli and Kirill Marchenko.
In just 39 games with the team, Mush scored 15 goals and 32 points while carrying an impressive +21 rating. As you would expect, this caused his value to skyrocket.
As good as he was for the Blue Jackets, it's hard to see the team bringing him back because players of this type are so highly sought after. Had he played out the season in Seattle, I could see him getting a 1-or-2 year deal somewhere.
Now? It looks like Mush is about to get paid a lot of money, and probably for max term. Good for him. But, it doesn't make sense for the Blue Jackets to hand out that kind of contract, with so many young pieces needing bigger deals in the next few seasons.
Again, like Jenner, there is a chance Marchment could circle back to the Blue Jackets. But, this one feels like more of a stretch. We shall see.
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