When all is said and done, it seems likely Boone Jenner will finish his career with the most games played in Blue Jackets history.
He's suited up 530 times in union blue, 144 short of Rick Nash's franchise record, and it appears likely he'll get those games now that he signed a four-year contract extension Wednesday with the Jackets that will keep him in Columbus through 2025-26.
And to hear Jenner tell it, that's exactly where he wants to be. He signed that extension on the first day it was available Wednesday, and a major part of that is because of his belief he's in the right organization in right place -- and very proud of that fact.
"Some of the stuff that is said about Columbus and the city of Columbus and stuff in the media definitely rubs me the wrong way," Jenner said. "I'm a guy that's been here eight years now, and it's a tremendous city and organization and everything, so I don't agree with it. I'm obviously doing my best with other guys and stuff to show them around and show them the city and everything that comes with it.
"I just love it, and I don't agree with a lot of those opinions that Columbus as a city or whatever you want to call it gets."
In many ways, the feeling is mutual as Jenner's all-out style has earned him plenty of fans in the capital city. He's also produced, as in his eight seasons, Jenner sits fourth in goals (121) and sixth in points (240) in franchise history.
Add in his versatility and ability to play in all situations, plus his leadership skills, and Jenner exemplifies a lot of what the Blue Jackets are as an organization.
"I talk about character a lot," general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said Wednesday. "I don't know if there's too many better guys character-wise than Boone Jenner. He's a heart and soul guy for us. He does so many different things, so many little things that don't necessarily show on the score sheet.
"He is a competitor. He is a great team-first guy, and he plays hard. He shows up every night to compete and does the same thing in every practice. He elevates the level of our work and the standard there every day, and those are the types of leaders we want here and we want him for the long term."
In fact, Jenner remains the lone member of the team's 2021 leadership group still on the roster with the in-season trade of captain Nick Foligno and recent deals of alternate captains Seth Jones and Cam Atkinson. Jenner has worn an "A" since 2015, and while he said Wednesday that the captaincy has not been discussed between himself and team leaders, he said he takes his leadership role seriously.
"I think it's something I take a lot of pride in is being a leader," he said. "It doesn't matter about anything like (potentially receiving the captaincy). I don't think I'm going to change as a person, a player or a teammate. I think the way I want to go about is the same as I always do. It's definitely something that when you see guys that leave that have been a big part of that leadership group, it's an opportunity for myself and guys to step up in that role and it's a new challenge."
Those trades also have left many suggesting the Blue Jackets are in rebuilding mode, but Jenner isn't exactly thinking that way out of the gate. With the recent additions of such players as Jake Voracek, Sean Kuraly, Adam Boqvist and Jake Bean, Jenner sees the Jackets adding talent and a young, hungry group of players ready to make its mark.
"It's tough when you lose guys that you know so well and have played with for a while and grown up together, but the other guys that we got in exchange or traded for or signed, they are all so excited as well," he said. "We're excited to get together as a group here, work through it and start training camp. There's obviously some fresh faces, and I'm looking forward to that."
As the longest-tenured Blue Jacket, Jenner has been to the playoffs five times in eight seasons in union blue, including four straight from 2017-20. His immediate goal is to get back there as quickly as possible, and the hope is for a quick turnaround after falling short in 2021.
"We want to go back to the playoffs," he said. "That's our goal. We are going to get some different faces and whatnot in September, but the goal doesn't change. We are going after it right away from day one, I'm sure. Everyone is champing at the bit after last year, the guys that were here, and we're excited to get back and get going that way and prove ourselves."
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