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Extension silence in Columbus for gritty forward could spark Penguins trade talk
Photo credit: Philip G. Pavely-Imagn Images
Boone Jenner and the Pittsburgh Penguins are suddenly in the same sentence, and it feels way too logical.
Chris Johnston said there haven’t been substantive extension talks with the Columbus Blue Jackets, and that opens the uncomfortable word: trade.
The Jackets are 27-20-7 and sitting right in the mix, which is exactly when a pending UFA decision gets loud.
Jenner’s production still plays in any lineup, with 8-18-26 in 40 games.
His cap hit sits at $3.75 million through this season, so the money is the easy part.
The Penguins are 28-15-11, and the roster screams for one more heavy, honest forward who can win hard minutes.
You can slide Jenner as a third-line center, or bump him to the wing in the top-six when injuries hit.
Re Blue Jackets: "Boone Jenner...there haven't been substantive talks about an extension; my belief is he'd really like to stay...has to see if those conversations...result in a deal or maybe you're talking about trading him."
- Chris Johnston
- Chris Johnston
Boone Jenner fits the Pittsburgh Penguins identity fast
Penguins fans have been begging for a "playoff adult" again, not another project, and Jenner checks that box.
He wins inside ice, goes to the net, and doesn’t cheat the details when the game turns ugly.
That matters on a team that still lives and dies with the margins behind Sidney Crosby.
On the man advantage, Jenner gives you the net-front option Pittsburgh cycles through every spring.
At even strength, he’s the kind of forechecker who makes defensemen rush pucks instead of breaking you down.
The price will sting because he’s a captain type, but that’s also why he changes a room quickly.
If Columbus can’t get extension talks moving soon, Kyle Dubas should be calling before someone else makes it a bidding war.
The Penguins don’t need a miracle, they need one more real piece for the next two months.
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| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 3|92 ANSWERS Extension silence in Columbus for gritty forward could spark Penguins trade talk Should the Pittsburgh Penguins trade for Boone Jenner? | ||
| Yes | 34 | 37 % |
| No | 58 | 63 % |
| List of polls | ||