The Maple Leafs are being named the best fit for Boone Jenner

Boone Jenner would make a great fit for the Maple Leafs 2C and Frank Seravalli believes that the two could come together as he names Toronto as a team to watch.

Jenner has been captain of the Blue Jackets since 2021-22 and a staple in the lineup who gives the team a ton of penalty killing, defensive help and some offensive chops to boot. He's also looking for a big raise and with reports that he is likely headed to free agency, Frank Seravalli names Toronto as a team to keep an eye on.

Jenner, 32, has struggled the past two seasons with only 20 goals and 57 points combined, but prior to that put together a trio of 20+ goal seasons to go along with a ton of physicality while playing above average defence.

Boone Jenner looks headed to free agency with the Maple Leafs a team to keep an eye on

He's going to be a free agent on July 1 and Columbus is at risk of losing their captain, though they haven't exactly broken the bank to keep him. Jenner feels like he is worth more that what they are offering, and the two sides have been pretty far apart in contract talks.

That means that other teams will no doubt be able to scoop him up come free agency, as he would solid any team's top-six and could be a great penalty killing leader in the lineup. For Frank Seravalli - he believes that team could be the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Seravalli revealed on his podcast 'Frankly Hockey' that with Jenner's likely upcoming free agency, he feels that a team that makes sense as a perfect fit would be none other than Toronto:

To me the team that stands out the most for Boone Jenner is the Maple Leafs.

It wouldn't be the first time that Toronto stole away a captain from the Blue Jackets, as they traded for Nick Foligno back in 2021 in order to help them with their playoff push; though injuries cut his time with the team short.

Jenner is looking for a huge pay raise and has his suitors in a bare centre market

Unless you're going to trade for Dylan Larkin, there aren't really a surplus of great centres available, which is why Jenner is so coveted.

He's been a defensive stud for his entire career, is a two-way force who has averaged 16 goals, 32 points, 139 hits, a 54% face-off win percentage - and he's a penalty killing machine. Due to his size, grit, and face-off skillset, he often dictates the pace and is able to secure the puck and dump it out quickly and avoid any problems.

Jenner was making $3.75-million this past deal, and with the salary cap going up it's clear he wants to cash in. It's unknown what Columbus has offered him, but if the Maple Leafs were to make an offer then you could potentially see it in the $7-7.5-million range.

While that seems like an overpayment for a 32-year old, you're getting him to take a lot of defensive burden off Auston Matthews' shoulders, and you're replacing John Tavares in the 2C, and allowing him to have a bit of an easier time.

So you can see why Jenner would have a lot of suitors given that he offers quite a bit of lineup versatility, is a respected leader and captain, while also really not asking for too much in terms of salary.

And it's why the Maple Leafs need to be the first in line on July 1.

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