The Detroit Red Wings are a team to keep a very close eye on between now and the 2026 NHL trade deadline. With the Red Wings looking to break their nine-year playoff drought and being in second place in the Atlantic Division, it would be entirely understandable if they were big buyers ahead of the deadline. This is especially so when noting that they have plenty of cap space to work with.
The Columbus Blue Jackets, on the other hand, are in an interesting spot. While they have won each of their last five games, they are still seven points behind the Boston Bruins for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference standings. They are four points behind the New York Islanders for the third-place spot in the Metropolitan Division standings. Thus, if they do not move up the standings, there is certainly a chance that they will be sellers this deadline season.
If the Blue Jackets end up being sellers, the Red Wings should strongly consider reaching out to them about forward Boone Jenner. The 32-year-old forward has been creating chatter in the rumor mill as a trade candidate and would certainly give the Red Wings’ forward group a nice boost if they acquired him.
Due to this, we here at Heavy Sports have a trade pitch that would have the Blue Jackets send Jenner to the Red Wings in a big swap.
Red Wings Get:
- Boone Jenner
Blue Jackets Get:
- 2026 First-Round Pick
- 2026 Third-Round Pick
- Shai Buium
Boone Jenner Is Among NHL’s Top Trade Candidates
With Jenner being a pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) on a Blue Jackets club that does not currently hold a playoff spot, he has been brought up as a trade candidate. Due to this, he was recently given the No. 18 spot on Chris Johnston’s latest trade board for The Athletic.
“A competitive, heart-on-his-sleeve center who has spent his entire NHL career in Columbus, Jenner is facing an uncertain future while playing on an expiring contract. He’s unafraid to go to the hard areas of the ice and can put the puck in the net, which are attractive attributes to peddle if the Blue Jackets become sellers later in the season,” Johnston wrote.
With the Red Wings looking to cement themselves as true contenders, it would be huge for them to add a forward like Jenner to their roster. This is because he is an impactful two-way forward who contributes offensively, plays a heavy game, kills penalties, and is a well-respected leader. With this, he would be a nice pickup for the Red Wings if they landed him.
Boone Jenner Would Give Red Wings’ Forward Group a Big Boost
If the Red Wings successfully acquired Jenner, he would slot very nicely in their top nine. He would provide the Red Wings with a potential upgrade for their second-line center spot over Copp. However, he is also capable of playing on the wing, so he could be a fit in multiple spots in the Red Wings’ lineup.
In 40 games so far this season with the Blue Jackets, Jenner has posted eight goals, 18 assists, 26 points, and 91 hits. With numbers like these, he would certainly give the Red Wings’ forward group a nice boost if they landed him.
Red Wings Trade Pitch Lands $15 Million Power Forward