Calle Jarnkrok's Fate is Confirmed After Recent Announcement by the Toronto Maple Leafs

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Chris Gerics
November 18, 2024 (11:40)

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The Toronto Maple Leafs announced forward Calle Jarnkrok underwent sports hernia surgery and is going to be out for the next few months.

It's an unfortunate turn of events for the veteran forward, who suffered an injury in the preseason and hasn't touched the ice yet this year as he figured out what to do.

He recently saw a specialist to get an opinion on how to get healed up, and it was clear that surgery was the answer.

It's a huge loss to the Maple Leafs as they struggle to find some production from their bottom-six. If Jarnkrok was healthy he could be a big factor into a more complete Leafs team.

For now, it seems that Brad Treliving may be able to place Jarnkrok on the LTIR and open up some cap space in order to bring aboard some help for their forward and scoring depth.

Tough Break For Calle Jarnkrok

Since being drafted 51st overall by the Detroit Red Wings, Jarnkrok has put together a very solid NHL career as a defensively sound forward with the capability to be a huge scoring threat on the bottom six.

Jarnkrok has double-digit goals in all but two seasons, and has 301 points in 699 NHL games. He was a huge piece in the trade that sent Nashville Predators' David Legwand; a fan favorite and arguably the team's greatest forward ever, to Detroit.

It was in Nashville where he found his footing and carved out a name as a dependable, solid third-line option who can kill penalties, win faceoffs, doesn't act reckless, and doesn't take penalties.

He signed with the Maple Leafs in 2022 on a 4-year, $8.4M deal; a steal for what he offers and impressed fans with his offensive ability in his first year had a 20-goal season

Last season with Toronto he had 10 goals and 11 assists, but was projected to bounce back this season and have a bigger impact on the offense.

One has to wonder just how good the Maple Leafs would be with him too, as he would make their defense even deadlier.

Head coach Craig Berube gave his take on the situation, and is as bummed out as Maple Leafs fans about Jarnkrok's extended absence:

"He's gotta get it fixed & he'll be out a while. It's too bad, because he's a player we liked & can help us & really haven't had that opportunity to do that"

Jarnkrok was expected to be a big part of Toronto's bottom six, and they could have desperately used his talents as they've been atrocious all year.

The Toronto Maple Leafs can at least rest easy knowing Jarnkrok is on the mend, and that he could be back in time for their hopefully long playoff run.