The clock is ticking on Calle Jarnkrok’s tenure in Toronto.

The 34-year-old veteran forward has been in and out of the lineup all season long, and with a declining role, and expiring contract this offseason, Jarnkrok is very likely enjoying his last few weeks as a Maple Leaf.

There’s several roster changes coming this summer, and adding a different flare to the Leafs’ bottom six is something general manager Brad Treliving will have high on his priority list, that is, if he’s still employed following the season. Unfortunately for Jarnkrok, that means he’s a prime target to be replaced, and rightfully so. Throughout this season, the versatile vet has dressed in just 48 of the Leafs’ 73 games, averaging a career low 11:30 per night, while posting six goals and two assists, for eight points.

Injuries and age have caught up to Jarnkrok in a big way these past couple of seasons, as he hasn’t played more than 70 games since 2022-23. While he’s never been the fastest skater, the Gavle, Sweden native has lost a step, which is certainly one of the many reasons the Leafs will be moving on. This Maple Leafs forward group needs a facelift, and if Treliving stays, he needs to find a player who plays a very similar style to Jarnkrok, including bringing a ton of versatility to the table, but someone 10 years younger.

At $2.1 million cap hit, Treliving wasn’t able to move Jarnkrok ahead of this season’s trade deadline, and it wasn’t just the money, it was also the fact there wasn’t a market for him. Treliving has always been a massive fan of Jarnkrok and his versatility, so perhaps he was trying to ‘do right’ by the player as well, and keep him and his family in Toronto to finish out his contract in blue and white. Treliving and Jarnkrok have a history together, after all.

In 2022, as Calgary Flames GM, Treliving traded three draft picks to the Seattle Kraken to acquire Jarnkrok for 17 regular season games, and 12 Stanley Cup Playoff games. At the time, Treliving had this to say about the acquisition. “I’ve always considered him kind of a fixer defensively,” Treliving said Mar. 12, 2022. “You can put him with any line and he fixes it. He plays the game the right way…He’s played centre growing up for the most part, lot of wing at the pro level. Touches both sides of specialty teams. He can go up and down the lineup. We think we got better today. He’s a real good player. We love how competitive he is, how versatile he is, and I think he’s going to fit with us real good.”

Next thing you know, the Flames were eliminated, Kyle Dubas signed Jarnkrok to a four-year deal, and Treliving wound up taking over as GM, and having one of his favourite players locked in long term.

When healthy, Jarnkrok’s made a great impact on the Maple Leafs on the ice, and he’s certainly been a great teammate each and every day off the ice. His best season was 2023, his first in Toronto, when he scored 20 goals in 73 games, but unfortunately in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, wasn’t able to continue to bring consistent secondary scoring. Yes, he was tasked with more of a defensive role in the postseason, but the same story continued the following year, when Jarnkrok recorded zero points in seven playoff games, and the following year just one assist in 12 playoff games. When the Leafs needed him the most, he wasn’t able to answer the bell.

While Jarnkrok’s versatility to play in all situations, throughout the entire lineup, and each forward position was fun to watch for a few seasons, it’s time for the Maple Leafs to move on. The Leafs need to allocate their resources into some new flavour for their forward group, and while Jarnkrok was one of the best teammates you could ask for throughout is tenure in Toronto, all good things come to an end eventually.

Enjoy these last few games for Jarnkrok in blue and white, they’re likely his last.

TABLE Fare + Social is a vibrant food hall in the heart of Toronto’s financial district, offering a unique dining and social experience just steps from transit and the arena—perfect for pregame meals before tip-off. Open weekdays from 11am to 10pm, TABLE serves up morning treats, creative eats, and lively after-work events. With a private terrace overlooking Toronto’s elevated park, guests enjoy stunning views alongside year-round programming that includes food tastings, cooking classes, live music, and pop-up events designed to spark connection and creativity.
Follow along @Tablefood hall or tablefoodhall.com