A versatile forward who will be 33 years old next season, Calle Jarnkrok is headed into his third season as a Leaf. Jarnkrok has played centre in the past, but has found himself on the wings during his time in Toronto. Last season, despite his lack of dynamic offensive prowess, Jarnkrok was able to augment nearly every line he was a part of. His well-rounded skillset and responsible disposition make him a favourite for coaches and teammates alike.
History
Jarnkrok was a second round pick, 51st overall in 2010, by the Detroit Red Wings. Jarnkrok played games in the SHL during his draft year, steadily increasing his production to nearly a point per game by the 2012–13 season. After a brief AHL appearance at the end of 2012–13, Jarnkrok was an AHL rookie when he was traded from the Red Wings to the Nashville Predators at the 2013–14 trade deadline.
Jarnkrok would explode onto the scene in Nashville, scoring at his highest rate in both the AHL and the NHL following the trade. This would also be the last time that Jarnkrok’s NHL team missed the playoffs. Ultimately, Jarnkrok would never develop into a top six producer, but his versatility and dependability remained a boon to his team. Famously, Jarnkrok played centre for the Preds in their Stanley Cup Final loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, where Jarnkrok was tasked with shutting down Sidney Crosby.
After eight seasons in Nashville, Jarnkrok was selected by the Seattle Kraken in their expansion draft, playing for the team in 2021–22. The Kraken did not have a strong inaugural season, and traded Jarnkrok to the Calgary Flames for draft capital, a move made by now Leafs GM Brad Treliving. After the Flames playoff run his contract expired, making him a free agent, which is when he signed with the Leafs and his former agent Kyle Dubas.
Jarnkrok rewarded the Leafs faith with a career year in 2022–23, setting highs in goals and points. Last season was not quite as productive for Jarnkrok, but he remained a solid piece for former coach Sheldon Keefe to deploy up and down the lineup. Jarnkrok clearly brings more to the ice than offence, evidenced by the trust he seems to earn and maintain.
International
Through his career, Jarnkrok has not often had the chance to represent his country in international tournaments thanks to the frequent team success he has been a part of. Still, Jarnkrok was a staple for the Swedish junior program as a teenager, winning two silver medals and one gold medal at the U20 World Junior Championship from 2007–08 to 2009–10. Jarnkrok’s proximity to team success continued into his early professional career, earning a gold medal and a bronze medal for Sweden at the World Championships in 2012–13 and 2013–14 respectively.
Stats
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009-10 | Brynas Jr. | Swe-Jr | 19 | 11 | 20 | 31 |
| 2009-10 | Brynas IF Gavle | SHL | 33 | 4 | 6 | 10 |
| 2010-11 | Brynas IF Gavle | SHL | 49 | 11 | 16 | 27 |
| 2011-12 | Brynas IF Gavle | SHL | 50 | 16 | 23 | 39 |
| 2012-13 | Brynas IF Gavle | SHL | 53 | 13 | 29 | 42 |
| 2012-13 | Grand Rapids Griffins | AHL | 9 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| 2013-14 | Grand Rapids Griffins | AHL | 57 | 13 | 23 | 36 |
| 2013-14 | Milwaukee Admirals | AHL | 6 | 5 | 4 | 9 |
| 2013-14 | Nashville Predators | NHL | 12 | 2 | 7 | 9 |
| 2014-15 | Nashville Predators | NHL | 74 | 7 | 11 | 18 |
| 2015-16 | Nashville Predators | NHL | 81 | 16 | 14 | 30 |
| 2016-17 | Nashville Predators | NHL | 81 | 15 | 16 | 31 |
| 2017-18 | Nashville Predators | NHL | 68 | 16 | 19 | 35 |
| 2018-19 | Nashville Predators | NHL | 79 | 10 | 16 | 26 |
| 2019-20 | Nashville Predators | NHL | 64 | 15 | 19 | 34 |
| 2020-21 | Nashville Predators | NHL | 49 | 13 | 15 | 28 |
| 2021-22 | Seattle Kraken | NHL | 49 | 12 | 14 | 26 |
| 2021-22 | Calgary Flames | NHL | 17 | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| 2022-23 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 73 | 20 | 19 | 39 |
| 2023-24 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 52 | 10 | 11 | 21 |
Profile
Strengths
More substance than style, Jarnkrok’s primary skills are his hockey sense and team-oriented play. Jarnkrok is usually in a strong defensive position, and is able to make simple plays and decisions that help his team win. Thanks to his time at centre, Jarnkrok is trustworthy in his own end, can make effective support passes, and is a willing forechecker. He is able to build chemistry and find success with a number of different linemates in a number of different roles.
With a well-rounded skillset, Jarnkrok is solid at many of the foundational skills. Jarnkrok is a good skater, puck handler, and passer who can execute effectively in all zones of the ice and all phases of the game. Perhaps the one standout among his skills is his shot. While clearly not the league’s foremost sniper, Jarnkrok can still unleash a hard and accurate wrist shot that can beat goalies from a distance every once in a while.
His dependability and consistency help Jarnkrok to produce at a steady rate on a season-to-season basis. Over a full season, Jarnkrok is able to provide about 15 goals and 35 points while being a steadying presence in his team’s top nine forward group.
Weaknesses
As an established role player it does not make much sense to harp on Jarnkrok’s weaknesses much. It is true that he is not and will not be a dynamic offensive producer, and that even his shot is not an elite tool. The biggest source of worry to Jarnkrok’s otherwise steady play is his age. Jarnkrok has two years left on his current contract, which will be his age 33 and 34 seasons. At some point the wheels might fall off for Jarnkrok, but to this moment any decline has not yet begun.
Fit
Jarnkrok is one of the more well-known quantities of the Leafs lineup, so most of his fit within it comes down to coach Craig Berube. Chances are that Berube will appreciate Jarnkrok’s presence, but exactly where he fits into the Leafs top nine remains to be seen.
With three obvious centres, in Auston Matthews, John Tavares, and David Kampf, it would seem that the Leafs have a number of options to deploy down the middle. Jarnkrok does have experience at centre, though Keefe was happiest to use Jarnkrok on the wings to help jumpstart lines that hit a dry spell.
Perhaps Berube will try to form more consistent lines to contrast Keefe’s willingness to mix and match. Matthews has endorsed Jarnkrok’s play on his line in the past, but clearly the team has more tantalizing options here. As fans are left to speculate on possible lineup options until training camp, there are two that stand out.
Jarnkrok was extremely effective on a line with Tavares and Bobby McMann, a group that often had to handle defensive assignments against top competition. The trio was able to apply tremendous pressure on the forecheck, making it difficult for opponents to transition up ice.
Jarnkrok might also find himself a reliable option with younger players looking to assert themselves as top nine forwards, like Pontus Holmberg, Easton Cowan, or Fraser Minten. To an extent, we saw this last season as Jarnkrok’s most common linemates were Max Domi and Nicholas Robertson, a more high-risk offensive duo.
Jarnkrok featured in small roles on both special teams last season, a possible outcome for next season as well. At this point, it is far more likely that Jarnkrok sees a continued or expanded role on the penalty kill, as his lack of offensive upside and specialization does not point to a clear role on the power play.
