Rangers Novel Trade Idea Lands Experienced Captain

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The New York Rangers could add depth and experience by trading for a seasoned captain who’s reportedly on the trade block.

The New York Rangers have seemingly begun to turn things around this season. They’ve won two in a row and are 6-3-1 in their last 10 games. The Blueshirts have climbed to within striking distance of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and look poised to keep climbing.

But then again, some extra help wouldn’t hurt the Rangers. The club could use some depth and experience amid injury concerns. The recent return of Vincent Trocheck has been a major boost. But what if another boost could hit the club?

Enter Columbus Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner. Jenner has been the subject of trade speculation, as noted in a November 13 piece by the Fourth Period. The veteran forward is purportedly on contenders’ radars, especially with the Blue Jackets floundering again this season.

That could open an opportunity for the Rangers to land a versatile forward who could plug a major hole in the lineup.

Here’s how this trade idea could work:

Rangers get:

Boone Jenner, F

Blue Jackets get:

Juuso Parssinen

2026 first-round pick

Before Rangers fans get up in arms, the first-round pick would be the price to pay for the Blue Jackets retaining half of Jenner’s $3.725 million cap hit. Otherwise, making this deal work would be nearly impossible.

Jenner is in the final year of his current deal. So, retaining 50% would not be out of the question for Columbus. Meanwhile, the Rangers have two first-round picks. Parting with the one belonging to the Carolina Hurricanes would not be the worst idea in the world.

How Jenner Fits into Rangers’ Lineup

So, how does Boone Jenner actually fit into the New York Rangers’ lineup? Firstly, Jenner is not a top-six player necessarily. But he could be.

The Blueshirts could have an opening on the top line if Gabe Perreault gets bumped down. Artemi Panarin could move back up, with Jenner sliding in on the left side with Trocheck and Alexis Lafreniere.

Perhaps Mike Sullivan decides to use Jenner at center. So, that could mean moving Noah Laba to a wing spot with Conor Sheary likely dropping to the fourth line.

The versatility that Jenner brings to the table is something the Rangers need amid potential injury concerns. There’s no telling when the injury bug may strike again. So, having someone who could play up and down the lineup is a highly desirable trait.

Jenner Does Not Come without a Caveat

Adding Boone Jenner is not a panacea for the Rangers. He does come with a caveat. Jenner is not a high-end scorer who could support the likes of Trocheck, Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, and J.T. Miller. Jenner is more of a depth player who can do a bit of everything.

That’s something the Rangers could use at this point. If the club wanted something beyond pure scoring, Jenner could deliver it. Plus, his experience and leadership are qualities that can support the clubhouse moving forward.

If there’s a decent opportunity to land Boone Jenner, New York would be remiss if they didn’t at least kick the tires on the veteran forward.

Nestor Quixtan Seasoned NHL analyst and baseball writer focused on covering clubs across each league with news, analysis, and insights. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Nestor’s singular experiences and background have enabled him to bring a different take on the sports world as a whole. Nestor’s fondness for baseball and hockey set the tone for his love and passion for writing about sports. More about Nestor Quixtan