Hard-Hitting Center with Elite Faceoff Skills Could Add Depth and Grit to Toronto's Lineup
The Toronto Maple Leafs need help down the middle, so could Toronto look to Columbus and see if they'd be willing to part with Boone Jenner for the right price?
With Toronto desperately seeking a center who can elevate the bottom half of their lineup, there have been several names bandied around in trade rumors including Boston's Trent Frederic, and Seattle's Yanni Gourde, both very suitable options that fit perfectly into Craig Berube's system.
There is another player the Maple Leafs could target who would add not only a faceoff wizard, but a gritty, tough, big-bodied center that makes everyone around him better, and his name is Boone Jenner.
Who Is Boone Jenner?
Jenner is a 6'2 203-pound faceoff wizard who can throw the body, fight for pucks, and as of the last three seasons; score at will. He's the prototypical third-line center who uses his defensive mastery, offensive capability, size, and toughness to disrupt and control the game.
For his career, he has 192 goals in 715 games but has had back-to-back-to-back 20+ goal seasons, proving not only can he do the little things but also be a key contributor to any team's offense. Where he really shines though is in the faceoff circle, averaging 54.1% for his career, and also averages 186 hits, 80 blocks, and only 29 giveaways. Those types of statistics scream Craig Berube-type player, and he fits every box Toronto needs.
He would be a massive improvement over the entire Toronto bottom half of the lineup, and given how bad Nick Robertson has been, perhaps it's time to move on and add a piece that will actually contribute.
He still has one year left on his deal, however he comes at a very cheap $3.75M; a small price to pay for the type of game he would bring to Toronto. If Columbus wants to stick true to their word and take on bloated deals, perhaps Toronto can swing a deal for Simon Benoit and Nick Robertson in order to bring Jenner aboard.
If Brad Treliving is serious about adding the best possible piece to his bottom six, he needs to look to Columbus because it's Boone Jenner: A true Craig Berube guy.
