Toronto Maple Leafs fans got some unexpected news this week as Calle Jarnkrok returned to the ice. Though he is not yet cleared for game action, Jarnkrok is a potential answer to some of the questions the Leafs must answer leading up to the trade deadline.
Where is the best spot for Jarnkrok to slot into this lineup? Will it be enough to satiate the Leafs need for depth forwards? Let’s take a closer look at what should be expected from his return to the lineup.
Jarnkrok’s history with the Leafs
When Jarnkrok first joined the Leafs it was not a universally loved signing. Former GM Kyle Dubas was acquiring several former Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, and his prior role as Jarnkrok’s agent continued the trend. The contract was seen as generous, especially in terms of length. Jarnkrok joined the Leafs as a UFA from the Calgary Flames after being flipped from the Seattle Kraken at the trade deadline prior.
Jarnkrok became one of former coach Sheldon Keefe’s favourite players. Though his offensive totals have never jumped off the page, Jarnkrok has been a versatile player for the Leafs. Often Keefe would move Jarnkrok up and down the lineup, acting as a spark plug to whichever offensive duo he was teamed up with.
At times this would put Jarnkrok in an overextended role, playing on the power play or as an extra attacker. Jarnkrok’s limitations in such roles might have drawn the ire of some, but he was in those positions because of his reliability in Keefe’s eyes.
What can he bring?
Jarnkrok does have a lot of positive traits. He is responsible defensively, and can be trusted for intensity on defensive assignments. He does have some speed to work with, which is effective in transition, on the forecheck, and especially while backchecking. Offensively Jarnkrok is more functional than flashy, willing to make simple plays from contested areas. His greatest offensive tool is his shot, as he is able to score from a distance.
However, Jarnkrok is far from a complete offensive player. He will have to rely on linemates to move play in the right direction and to generate prime opportunities. Jarnkrok should not be the primary playmaker or puck transporter on a line. His skill set is a boon to more complete offensive linemates, willing to do the legwork and the grunt work, as well as presenting something of a shooting threat.
Because of his straightforward and direct approach to the game, Jarnkrok has maintained a fairly consistent offensive output over his career. Although 15 goals and 35 points a season is not an awesome total, it is exactly the type of middle-six production that the Leafs have been lacking this season.
Lineup issues
There has been a struggle to get scoring from outside the core four forwards and Matthew Knies. Bobby McMann has been a solid contributor and Max Pacioretty has had some flashes when healthy, though Max Domi, Pontus Holmberg, and Nick Robertson have not been able to hit their stride yet. David Kampf, Steven Lorentz, and Ryan Reaves are not realistic options to fill the role.
Herein lies the gap in the Leafs forward group. A centre is the ideal option here, one who can manage a reasonable defensive role while igniting the offensive talent that is underperforming on the third line. Seeing as the Leafs forward depth has been tested quite a bit this season, a yearning for an additional top-nine forward might be warranted as well.
The Leafs lack of trade capital and cap space makes a high-end acquisition less feasible.
Capable top-six centres like Ryan O’Reilly, Dylan Cozens, Brayden Schenn, or Brock Nelson would be incredible additions, but are difficult to manoeuvre. It would be extremely aggressive for the Leafs to trade any of their top three assets, Easton Cowan, Fraser Minten, or their 2026 first round pick.
Sure, a fantastic young NHLer with years of team control would warrant such a lofty price, but the cap ramifications are significant even before considering the upcoming UFA statuses of Mitch Marner and John Tavares.
Meanwhile, even lower price options at centre are rumoured to be costly. Scott Laughton would be a great addition, but if the asking price is a top asset it gives reason for pause. How much better is Laughton than lower-cost options on the market? Or even, how much better than a reclamation project?
There should be an effort for the Leafs to live in the moment, but the Leafs still have a ways to go before winning a Stanley Cup. The team has only won one playoff series in the Auston Matthews era, and the goal should be to significantly improve the team on a larger timeframe. On a short-term basis, players like Jake Evans or Nick Bjugstad might be just as impactful as Laughton and come at a lower price point.
The possible answers
All of a sudden the Leafs have another potential answer at centre. Jarnkrok has spent his time in Toronto on the wings, though he does have some experience at centre. His responsible disposition does lend itself to the position as well, and his potential wingers like Domi, Robertson, and McMann would appreciate a defensive conscience.
Jarnkrok threads the needle of requirement as a centre, a more solid defensive presence than Domi with more offensive upside than Holmberg and Kampf. Perhaps more importantly, Jarnkrok’s ability as a shooter might be a good complement to Domi’s playmaking. Still, Jarnkrok will have to focus on the dirty work to truly run away with the spot.
Clearly, the Leafs are looking to save themselves a lot of trouble by playing Jarnkrok at centre. There is no guarantee that he will be ready for the role, especially coming off of a long-term injury. Regardless, he will be an effective addition to the Leafs top-nine forwards as a winger.
Other possible reinforcements
The Leafs have a few other internal options at forward that might offset the need for trade acquisitions. Fraser Minten seems to be a year away from being exactly what the Leafs need at centre. There is a chance that he is able to show some growth within this season to take hold of the role, but is best served as an emergency option for now. Nikita Grebenkin might be ready for a full-time role next season as well, a power winger with some edge and scoring touch.
The wild card is Alex Steeves, an older prospect who has come into his own as a dominant AHL scorer. Steeves is not the biggest or the most skilled which makes it difficult to project him to the next level. He does play a straightforward and direct game that should be appreciated by coach Craig Berube. His NHL experience has been deep in the lineup, which might not be enough to get an accurate assessment of his NHL viability.
At 25 years old the runway for Steeves is coming to an end, meaning that it might be now or never for him to grab a role with the Leafs. If he is able to make an impression before the trade deadline, and if Jarnkrok is able to win Berube over as a centre, Steeves might ease the pressure for the Leafs to acquire another forward. In all, it is a bit of a long shot, but the only way to find out is for the Leafs to give Steeves a chance in the top-nine.
Jarnkrok will be afforded more patience to return to form, but the team’s trade decisions will need to come sooner. Ultimately acquiring a centre is still the more likely option for the Leafs to add to their forward group. His return to the ice at this point bodes well for Jarnkrok hitting his stride for the playoffs, at least. He is at least somewhat viable as a centre, and definitely added reinforcement to the team’s secondary scoring.
Have written this at least a dozen times. While it is not Jankroks normal position, he can fill in at the center role. I’d go as follows.
Knies Matthews Domi
Patch/Robertson Tavares Marner
McMann Jankrok nylander
Holmberg Kampf Lorentz