The Washington Capitals made one of their notable offseason additions on July 1, landing Boone Jenner on a four-year deal worth $5.75 million annually. The move gives Washington another layer of forward depth as the club heads toward the 2026-27 season with a roster that will look very different.
For Jenner, the signing marks a new kind of moment. After spending his entire career with the Columbus Blue Jackets, he said, “Obviously, I've never been in this spot, being a free agent.”
He also made clear why Washington stood out once free agency opened. Jenner said, “I know what kind of team they have been over my career and how hard it's been to play against them, and [it’s] a really good team.
So, obviously, when you're approaching free agency, you're kind of following what teams are doing and, obviously, making some huge moves around the draft there. It was kind of a spot where it was like, 'Well, that would be a great spot to play.'
So, when free agency came along on July 1, and Washington called, we were thrilled.”
More recently, Jenner described the move as a fresh start and said, “I’m so excited and I’m fortunate it all worked out.” He added, “I’ve been in the same division [as the Capitals] my whole career, so I know a little bit of a team they have. It was already a really good team and with the pieces they added, it shows that they want to win right now, which is really exciting for me.”
The 33-year-old is coming off a steady season in Columbus, finishing with 13 goals and 25 assists for 38 points in 67 games. Across 808 career games, Jenner has totaled 212 goals and 209 assists for 421 points.
In Other News...
Connor McMichael Is Suddenly Part Of A Bigger Front Office Lesson
Connor McMichaels new deal with St. Louis is a reminder that contract language can matter just as much as the player on the ice. The Blues brought in the young forward as part of the Jordan Kyrou trade, and new GM Alexander Steen followed with a six-year extension that gives the team some early flexibility before any no-trade protection kicks in after the first three seasons.
For Washington, it is the sort of detail that can shape a rivals roster for years, especially when the other side is trying to avoid the kind of clause headaches that have dogged front offices before. Steen appears to be threading that needle carefully, giving McMichael security without boxing the Blues into the same corner that has complicated other moves in the past. [Read more 🡒]
Why Dylan Stromes Rebound Could Change Everything For The Capitals
Dylan Strome spent last season trying to steady a role that has become central to the Capitals attack, and he did not hide from the fact that the production dipped. After a breakout year, his numbers fell off enough to make the contrast obvious, and Strome pointed to inconsistency as the biggest issue while saying he wants to get back to the pace he set the year before.
Since arriving in Washington in 2023, Strome has mostly handled top-center duties and often skated with Alex Ovechkin and Anthony Beauvillier, a look that flashed but did not always stay in sync. The power play also never fully found its rhythm, and with the unit struggling for much of the year, Stromes rebound feels tied to more than just his own game as he works to show he can be part of the Capitals long-term core. [Read more 🡒]