Calle Jarnkrok's Injury Fate Officially Revealed by the Maple Leafs
has yet to play this season for the Leafs, though he returned to practice this week and now we know his status at least for the next few games.
The injury bug has hit the Maple Leafs hard this season, with several key players missing time due to various injuries including captain Auston Matthews as well as standout goaltender Anthony Stolarz, with both missing double-digit games.
But one forward who hasn't yet got the chance to play is Calle Jarnkrok, who is still dealing with the aftermath of sports hernia surgery.
He was back to practice on Wednesday, and though it was a positive, it seems unlikely he's going to play in the next few games.
It's an unfortunate sign, but it's not necessarily the end of the world for Toronto. But how could Jarnkrok help when he eventually does come back?
Calle Jarnkrok Can Help Toronto's Third Line Issues
There is a lot of talk concerning a potential trade the Maple Leafs are going to make in order to help out their third line center issues, and Jarnkrok's absence is a huge part of that problem.
Expected to lock down the third line this season, Jarnkrok is a crucial piece of Toronto's bottom-six and adds a lot of intangibles that other players lack.
He's a defensive monster, able to disrupt opponents at every turn, he wins face-offs, kills penalties and has an underrated scoring touch (he had 20 goals his first season with Toronto).
Toronto has had to work with a mishmash of centres on their third line and have used Fraser Minten, Max Domi, and Pontus Holmberg; three names that either don't have the experience yet (Minten) or have played well below their expectations (Domi and Holmberg).
If he can get healthy in the next couple of weeks and be able to contribute, it makes Toronto's trade deadline plans a bit easier, as they can focus on adding a premium 2C if they wanted to have an upgrade on John Tavares (and shift him to wing) or go after an elite defenseman.
Last season was a down season for Jarnkrok with 10 goals and 11 assists in 52 games however his first year with Toronto was his best ever offensively with 20 goals and 39 points in 73 games.
If Jarnkrok is able to find himself in the Maple Leafs lineup and stay healthy, it'll be a huge boost to a team desperate to find some stability in their bottom half and give Toronto a fighting chance come playoff time.
![Feb 20, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Brady Tkachuk (7) celebrates scoring against Team Canada during the first period during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/530920.webp "Feb 20, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Brady Tkachuk (7) celebrates scoring against Team Canada during the first period during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images")
![Feb 20, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Mitch Marner (16) warms up prior to the during the first periodau- during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/530913.webp "Feb 20, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Mitch Marner (16) warms up prior to the during the first periodau- during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images")
