The Washington Capitals may not be done tinkering with their forward group for next season just yet.
According to ESPN’s Kevin Weekes, the Capitals have been linked to pending free-agent forward Boone Jenner, who has served as captain of the Columbus Blue Jackets for the last five seasons. Jenner will become a UFA on July 1, likely departing the only club he has played for during his 13-season NHL career.
“[The Capitals] have some good cap room still,” Weekes said on ESPN’s broadcast of the 2026 NHL Draft. “Are they going to add a defenseman? Will they add a defenseman and a depth forward? Somebody I’m hearing linked to the Washington Capitals is Boone Jenner from the Columbus Blue Jackets as a free agent. I’ve been hearing him linked to Washington for a while now. Curious to see what they do as they continue reshaping the team.”
In 67 games for the Blue Jackets this past season, Jenner recorded 38 points (13g, 25a). He played at all three strengths for Columbus, averaging 0:49 of power-play ice time per game and 1:27 of shorthanded ice time per game.
The 33-year-old veteran can play left wing and center, frequently lining up at both positions throughout his career. Jenner is also great in the faceoff dot, winning 52.6 percent of his draws last season and 54 percent of them over the course of his career.
Jenner was previously teammates with Pierre-Luc Dubois and coached by current Capitals skills coach Kenny McCudden while with Columbus.
After already adding Jordan Kyrou and Alex Tuch this offseason, the Capitals have a little over $14.3 million in remaining cap space. A large portion of that space is expected to be reserved for the potential return of captain Alex Ovechkin, as well as the addition of a right-handed defenseman.
