Toronto Maple Leafs forward Calle Jarnkrok is ready to turn the page on an injury-plagued 2024-25 season and return to form.

He missed the majority of the regular season due to a sports hernia injury he suffered in training camp, and then he had a setback from a groin injury. Jarnkrok was able to return to the lineup around the trade deadline, but could only muster up seven points (one goal and six assists) in 19 games.

Speaking with reporters after practice on Friday, he said it felt good to be on the ice not feeling any pain, which was a far cry from what he dealt with the prior year.

“It was no fun,” he said. “Not being out there, just trying to get back, and you can’t. Try again, you can’t. And then had to get the surgery done. It took a while to feel good again, but now I’m feeling great.”

While being able to work his way back into the lineup and gaining the trust of head coach Craig Berube to get some defensive shifts in the playoffs alongside Scott Laughton and Steven Lorentz, Jarnkrok did not fully enjoy himself on the ice. He admitted that he never felt 100% at any point while playing, with the struggle of playing catch-up so late in the season not doing him any favours.

The injury troubles now seem to be behind him, as Jarnkrok said he felt rejuvenated after his offseason training.

“It’s all the rest that takes some time, but I had a great summer,” he said. “A lot of skating, a lot of workouts. It was just a good summer.”

Getting his body back to a position where he feels good is always a good thing, especially knowing he is capable of chipping in around 30+ points when he is healthy. But he enters this camp with plenty of competition for roster spots, and Jarnkrok said he welcomes the challenge.

While his long-term future with the team remains unclear because of how crowded the forward group is, the Leafs will be giving him every opportunity to land a spot in their bottom-six. If nothing else, everyone beyond the scenes surely is pleased to see Jarnkrok back in the mix.

“I think so, for sure,” Berube said when asked if he has noticed a pep in Jarnkrok’s step so far at camp. “He missed most of the year, came back, and was still being bothered by the injury. Never really felt that good throughout the playoffs, either. He has had a full summer of training, he feels really good, and it’s noticeable. He looks really good to me, got a lot of jump in his step. We all know that Calle is a good player, but it’s about feeling good too and he feels good.”