Weekly Roundup: Jenner's Legacy, Werenski's Future, Fantilli's Next Deal, And Free Agency

By Will Chase on July 6, 2026 at 11:15 am
Mar 19, 2026; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Boone Jenner (38) celebrates his goal against the New York Rangers during the second period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
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It's been a busy past week in the NHL with storylines flying all over the place.

NHL free agency started last Wednesday, as the Columbus Blue Jackets dipped their toe into the available pool of players. The Zach Werenski story has its conclusion — for now — and a longtime Blue Jacket moves on.

Here's this week's news and notes from around the Blue Jackets and the hockey world.

End Of An Era

The longest tenured Blue Jacket is moving on.

Boone Jenner, who played 13 seasons in Columbus, signed a four-year deal with the Capitals last Wednesday.

Boone Jenner's Franchise Ranks

  • 1st: Games played (808), hits (1,809), and faceoff wins (4,560)
  • 2nd: Even-strength goals (161), even-strength points (339), power-play goals (44), and shots on goal (1,992)
  • 3rd: Goals (212), assists (209), points (421), and game-winning goals (31)
  • T-3rd: Shorthanded goals (7)
  • 4th: Blocked shots (783) and shorthanded points (9)

Captain of the Blue Jackets for the past five seasons, Jenner is the franchise's all-time leader in games played (808), hits (1,809), and faceoff wins (4,560).

He ranks second in even-strength goals (161), even-strength points (339), power-play goals (44), and shots on goal (1,992).

Jenner ranks third in goals (212), assists (209), points (421), and game-winning goals (31), is tied for third in shorthanded goals (7), and ranks fourth in blocked shots (783) and shorthanded points (9).

In April, the Blue Jackets named Jenner as the 2025-26 Community MVP, recognizing his leadership, compassion, and deep commitment to families across central Ohio. It's his second time to win the honor (2019-20).

With Jenner's Columbus chapter at an end, Werenski is the longest current active player. His 642 games played are the third most in franchise history, behind Jenner and Rick Nash (674). Werenski has the fifth-most goals (135), trailing Nash (289), Cam Atkinson (213), Jenner (212), and Nick Foligno (142).

The Werenski Saga

From media speculation to almost going to Dallas?

This was reportedly how Werenski's past week went until he exercised the no-movement clause in his contract to void a trade, confirming his commitment to Columbus.

The Norris winner will be with the team when the season starts, as we outlined the saga on Friday. A strong season in Columbus could be enough to turn the tide on his long-term commitment plans. Werenski will be eligible to sign a long-term contract extension next summer. Perhaps Kirill Marchenko will also change his mind about his long-term future?

With Jenner moving on and leaving a vacancy at captain, president and general manager Don Waddell said during Thursday's media availability that the club will determine the next captain during training camp. 

While Werenski might have been thought of as the next replacement, it seems unlikely that that would be the case until he commits long-term to his next contract. Charlie Coyle, signed to a six-year extension earlier this offseason, could be the logical choice, as well as Mathieu Olivier.

What about Adam Fantilli?

RFAS And Offersheet Madness

Fantilli is set to get a new deal this summer as a restricted free agent.

Already entering his fourth NHL season, Fantilli has registered 140 points (67 goals, 73 assists) in 213 games. He's played in all 82 games each of the last two seasons, setting career highs in assists and points in 2025-26.

Leo Carlsson, who was selected No. 2 overall by the Ducks, one pick ahead of Fantilli, in the 2023 NHL Draft, was offer-sheeted by the Flyers on Friday. Carlsson signed the offer sheet, giving the Ducks one week to match it or lose him and receive four of Philadelphia's first-round picks.

Carlsson set career highs with 67 points, 29 goals, and 38 assists last season in 70 games, helping Anaheim make the playoffs for the first time since 2017-18.

If general manager Pat Verbeek matches the offer sheet, what could that mean for other restricted free agents like Fantilli if Philadelphia or another team wanted to tender an offer sheet?

In addition to Fantilli, Columbus' restricted free agents are Jet Greaves and Cole Sillinger. Both Greaves and Sillinger filed for arbitration on Sunday, meaning they are ineligible to receive an offer sheet.

Connor Bedard, the Blackhawks' No. 1 pick in the 2023 class, will also be receiving a new contract this summer as an RFA.

Free Agency

In case you missed it, along with Jenner moving on in free agency, and along with the Werenski storylines, Mason Marchment signed on for five years with the Sharks, and Zach Aston-Reese signed a two-year deal with the Flyers.

Erik Gudbranson is back with Columbus on a one-year deal. Waddell also signed Ryan Lomberg to a two-year contract. Lomberg was a member of the 2023-24 Stanley Cup champion Panthers. Columbus also inked goaltender Pheonix Copley to a one-year deal.

Lomberg scored nine points (four goals, five assists) in 57 games for the Flames last season. Copley has spent the bulk of the last two years in the AHL playing for the Kings' affiliate, the Ontario Reign. Copley was 24-6-3 with a 2.64 goals-against average and .903 save percentage for the Kings in 2022-23. Joonas Korpisalo was also on the Kings that season after being traded by Columbus at the trade deadline.

Speaking of Korpisalo, he's back in the Metropolitan Division after a trade from the Bruins to the Rangers.

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