4 Potential Free-Agent Destinations for Boone Jenner

Boone Jenner has changed agents and is heading to the open market on July 1. The former Columbus Blue Jacket appears to be leaving the only NHL franchise he's ever known. There's been quite the turn of events in Columbus since the end of last season, when interim head coach Rick Bowness admitted that the team needed a culture change, and the dressing room didn't care enough about winning.

Jenner is the best center available on what's a very thin free-agent market. There's going to be plenty of suitors for the two-way pivot, and with Jenner's style of play, look for potential playoff teams to be interested, as they look to add Jenner's character, and toughness to their lineup.

Daily Faceoff's Matt Larkin has Jenner ranked fifth on his free-agent board, and had this to say about his future:

Jenner’s situation was similar to Tuch’s: possible trade chip if his team bombed out of playoff race, must-keep as an own rental if his team stayed in playoff race. The Blue Jackets held Jenner but fell short in their push thanks to a late-season collapse. No one has suited up for more games in a Blue Jackets jersey. It would be weird to see him in another one, but he’s through his prime years and might want to chase a championship at some point. The fact he just changed agents suggests he understands how valuable he’d be on the open market as the best center left.

As far as potential free-agent destinations go, the Montreal Canadiens are very interested and could see Jenner as a nice complement to Nick Suzuki down the middle of their ice. The Philadelphia Flyers would love to add Jenner, and with his style of play, seems like a great fit in Philly.

Two other teams to keep an eye on are the Toronto Maple Leafs, who are in the market for a middle-six center, who can push John Tavares for minutes within the top six. Lastly, the Pittsburgh Penguins are going to be interested, as Kyle Dubas is a huge fan of Jenner's game and was linked to him for years when he ran the Maple Leafs.

Jenner's on the move this summer, it feels like the Canadiens are the favorite, with the Flyers, Leafs, and Penguins right behind.