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Maple Leafs Looking to Make Big Splash with Possible Acquisition of Boone Jenner, But Cost Could be Steep
The Columbus Blue Jackets enter the NHL Trade Deadline as a clear and obvious seller. If they only have a handful of untouchables on their list, almost everyone else can be had for the right price.
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That even includes Captain Boone Jenner. His name has appeared in trade rumors as he may fit some competing teams. The potential of a Jenner trade was recently raised on the NHL Network. It was also discussed on TSN 1050 radio last week as a potential fit for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
It’s easy to see why Jenner’s name crops up in conversations like this. He is a center. He has a reasonable cap hit. He’s in last place on a team. And he’s playing the kind of game that fits in the playoffs. The candidates will do their due diligence and report to the Blue Jackets.
Boone Jenner will attract interest from playoff contenders. (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)
That doesn’t mean the Blue Jackets want to trade him. If the Maple Leafs are going to support this idea, they had better be prepared to pay a heavy price. Because that would be necessary for this kind of trade to come about.
Summary of Jenner’s season
When on the lineup, Jenner played as expected. He is on track to record his third 20-goal season of his career. He’s also on track to eclipse 40 points for the second straight season.
Considering what Jenner has had to overcome over the past two seasons, that’s good work. He missed 11 games this season due to a broken thumb. In 2021-22, Jenner was limited to just 59 games because of a lower back injury. He scored 23 goals and 44 points before going down in March.
Jenner has played in the top-6 for the past few seasons. He rose at a time when the Blue Jackets were struggling to keep up on the middle ice. He’s also on track to finish with a career-high faceoff win rate. It is 55.5%.
Jenner has played a lot between Johnny Gaudreau and Patrik Laine this season. While there were some good stretches, it was inconsistent. He’s seen centering other lines with some of the Blue Jackets’ younger players for some time.
What can’t be denied, however, is the energy and dedication Jenner brings to the game. He only knows one speed. It’s all over. He leads by example and can engage players in combat when needed. When he was out for those 11 games, the Blue Jackets looked like a team that couldn’t muster any energy.
Jenner is one of the leaders of the Blue Jackets during the Ice Age. He plays in every situation and on the power play. He can also take penalties but his time there was limited partly because of his use in other situations and partly because of his injury history. He regularly plays over 20 minutes a night.
Why Maple Leafs Would Want Jenner?
GM Kyle Dubas and the Maple Leafs need to approach their depth to stay within the salary cap. Jenner has three more seasons after this one with $3.75 million. That’s the kind of cost control the Maple Leafs would covet.
Jenner would be a great fit for the Maple Leafs in a bottom-six center role. He would be asked to win key faceoffs and play a solid defensive game. He wouldn’t have put himself under pressure to be among the top scorers like he is now with the Blue Jackets. His Ice Age is also more controlled, which could be good for his back.
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When the playoffs started, Jenner’s style of play would set the spark that teammates would respond to immediately. He’s not the captain of the Blue Jackets for nothing. He sets a good example on and off the ice and lets his game do the talking.
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The Maple Leafs also had a direct look at Jenner in the Toronto bubble. He only scored one goal but was a force throughout the series. He can play against the opponent’s best.
Also, Jenner is an Ontario native and is the former captain of the Oshawa Generals. Could another homecoming be on the horizon?
What would Blue Jackets want back?
Given all that Jenner brings to the table, any trade would mean a massive pullback to the Blue Jackets. Ex-captain Nick Foligno got his first all-rounder back. He was a floating UFA at the time. It takes a first ++ to consider this possibility.
With the Maple Leafs getting control of Jenner for three years, it would take a roster player, a good prospect, and a first for GM Jarmo Kekalainen and the Blue Jackets to seriously consider it. Even then, they can still say no.
Jarmo Kekäläinen would need a royal ransom if they want to sell Boone Jenner. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Jenner is still seen as an important part of the Blue Jackets’ future. He could still make an impact when they are ready to fight for the playoffs.
Don’t rely on trading to happen
At this point, it would come as a shock if Jenner traded. While not untouchable, his value to the Blue Jackets goes beyond what he does on the ice.
The only way this trade will go through is if the Maple Leafs massively overpay the Blue Jackets. While it’s a good idea for the Maple Leafs to ask about Jenner, they’ll think twice once the purchase price is known.
The Maple Leafs are expected to make moves before the March 3 deadline. Just don’t count on this being one of the trades that will take place.
I’m a recognized author covering the Columbus Blue Jackets, Cleveland Monsters, and Erie Otters, as well as the Ontario Hockey League and the NHL Draft. The 2022-23 season will feature nine seasons with the Hockey Writers. I’m also the Credentials Manager of the site. Please see the updated Twitter handle: @mark_scheig.
Source: thehockeywriters.com
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