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TLN After Dark: Calle Jarnkrok could make the trade deadline easier for Brad Treliving
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Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Zack Phillips
Feb 21, 2025, 07:00 ESTUpdated: Feb 20, 2025, 13:05 EST
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The 4 Nations Face-Off provided a lot of teams with a significant break at a critical part of the season. Just over two weeks out from the NHL trade deadline, the vast majority of general Managers are taking their final looks at their rosters and attempting to plug whatever holes they feel are holding them back from winning the Stanley Cup. This 4 Nations break may have provided the Leafs with more than just an opportunity to pause and evaluate: it may have provided them a much-needed player to their bottom six.
Calle Jarnkrok has yet to play a game for the Maple Leafs this season after suffering a preseason injury. While the team returned to practice ahead of their game on Saturday night against Carolina, Jarnkrok made a return of his own, which is a promising sign that the veteran forward may be ready to return to NHL action shortly. Jarnkrok isn’t the upgrade the Leafs needed, but he is a player who can provide some much-needed support to a bottom six that has struggled to find any consistency and more importantly, an identity, this year.
It’s become obvious that the Maple Leafs would like to make upgrades to their third-line left-wing and center positions (Max Domi and Nick Robertson), who have both struggled to find their games. While Bobby McMann has excelled as a reliable power forward who is tough to deal with physically and can also generate offence, his linemates haven’t been able to keep up. Jarnkrok has a career-high of 20 goals and 39 points, both of which he achieved in his first season with the Maple Leafs, back in 22/23. While this doesn’t scream “offensive threat”, it feels like he could help the bottom six in other areas while doing so at no cost.
Oftentimes throughout his tenure here, it’s felt like he’s been miscast. Forced into roles in the top six which does not suit his game and is a bit above his pace of play. This might be the first time in Toronto that Jarnkrok can fit into one singular role and just be a rock for McMann and whoever else gets slotted into that third line. Jarnkrok provides some flexibility by being able to take over the center position for Domi or push down Robertson and find a more suitable center at the deadline. Regardless, the addition of Jarnkrok may mean a less expensive trade deadline if he can provide some life to Max Domi or get rid of the need to acquire a center and a winger for that third line.
Defensively responsible, speedy, ability to pitch in offensively here and there, and win your minutes. All things Jarnkrok is capable of doing and things that could make Brad Treliving’s life easier ahead of March 7.
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