30-goal scorer to land on the market

The Columbus Blue Jackets have won eight of their last 11 games, and general manager Jarmo Kekalainen is looking ahead at key changes he can make closer to the trade deadline to help his team in playoff contention. 

In a mailbag on The Athlectic, Aaron Portzline suggests that the Jackets could be willing to part ways with forward Boone Jenner, who could benefit from a change of scenery and become the 30-goal scorer he once was in his third season with Columbus. 

The 24-year-old is set to become a restricted free agent this summer, and Portzline wonders if he could be used in a package to land a top centre. However, the Jackets are not the only team looking to add help down the middle, as the Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins are also said to be on the hunt. 

While Portzline adds that the Jackets would lose an important part of their lineup, he shows to rival clubs what they could gain from acquiring Jenner. 

"If the Blue Jackets lose Jenner, they lose a lot of their gumption along the wall and in the corner. I get the desire for skill and speed, but much of the game is still played along the wall."

In 21 games with Columbus thus far this season, Jenner has amassed three goals and eight points.