Boone Jenner's career in Central Ohio has come to an end. The long-time Blue Jackets captain has signed a 4-year, $23 million dollar contract with the Washington Capitals, signaling a changing of the guard in Columbus.
This is not entirely surprising. This morning, we touched on the fact that both Boone and Mason Marchment could be moving on. Both came true, with Mush also signing a long-term deal this afternoon, joining the San Jose Sharks.
As much as we appreciated Marchment's spicy game, it's Jenner's departure is the one that will touch a lot of emotional nerves within the 5th Line. Boone was a life-long Blue Jacket, having spent his entire 13-year career in Columbus to this point.
He leaves the organization as its all-time leader in games played (808). He also sits third in goals (212), assists (209), and points (421); second all-time in power-play goals (44), and seventh in penalty minutes (458).
But it's the mark that he will leave off the ice, that is going to be felt a lot more. Boone quickly became an ambassador for the city of Columbus and the Blue Jackets. Eventually, he became a quiet leader, willing the team into battle with his hard working two-way game.
Two-time community MVP, NHL All-Star, most games played in team history and our captain for 5 seasons.
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) July 1, 2026
Thank you, Boone. You’re leaving a lasting legacy on the ice and in our community ❤️ pic.twitter.com/KjheBLJ7Q9
He filled whatever role the team needed him to play in. Whether that was as a checking winger on the fourth line, or filling in as their de facto top line center; he was reliable and consistent each and every night.
Not bad for a guy who fell out of the first round of his draft class, due to concerns about his skating. By the time it's all said and done, Boone goes down as one of the greatest Blue Jackets in their 25 year existence.
His final season in Columbus is almost too fitting: he scored 13 goals and 38 points. His final goal with the Blue Jackets came against his new team, on the last day of the regular season. Hockey can be crazy sometimes.
Contract became too rich.
The Capitals handed Boone quite a contract this afternoon. They signed the 33-year-old to a 4-year deal with an AAV of $5.75 million dollars. That's a full $2 million dollar raise from his last contract in Columbus.
Reminder: by season's end, Booner was buried on the fourth line of the Blue Jackets. While I think he's still got some good years left in him, lets be honest here: there is a lot of wear and tear on that body.
Ultimately, I think this contract became about $2 million dollars too much, and 2 years too long for the Blue Jackets to stomach. Rather than putting this on the table, Don Waddell opted to pick up Ryan Lomberg to fill in that depth forward role, for a fraction of the cost and half the term.
They might have taken Boone back for his most recent AAV, and for two years. But, he priced himself out of the market here. While I'm really happy to see Boone get a very well deserved deal, I'm also happy that the Blue Jackets aren't the team that handed it to him. I wish him all the best in Washington.
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