Craig Berube Drops Major Update on Key Injured Maple Leafs Player
Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube gave a big clue as to the return date of Calle Jarnkrok, as the forward has joined the team for their road trip.
It's been since before the season started that Calle Jarnkrok played a game for the Maple Leafs, as he was dealt an injury in the preseason that required sports hernia surgery. He's seemingly at full health, and he could help Toronto fill their third line center issues.
Well, he may be closer than we think.
According to head coach Craig Berube, the forward has been progressing well, and even joined the team on their road trip with a possibility of playing:
While his return would be a great relief to the team, it would involve needing to waive a player like Ryan Reaves in order to open up a roster spot and some money.
Calle Jarnkrok Can Make A Huge Difference For Maple Leafs
We really wouldn't have a lot of conversation about a third line center if Jarnkrok was healthy. Expected to anchor that line, his absence has really hurt the team in more ways than one.
Though he experienced a down year last season with only 10 goals and 21 points but is only two seasons removed from a 20-goal outburst in his first year with Toronto.
He plays fantastic defense, wins face-offs, plays the penalty kill, doesn't mind throwing hits, and will play the grittier and dirtier game that Max Domi and Nick Robertson refuse to get involved in.
If Jarnkrok can come back and bring that stability to the third line, it makes Toronto's search for a trade easier.
They can shift focus on adding a scoring winger for John Tavares, or they can beef up their defense a bit more and potentially saving both of their top prospects.
While it's unknown when Jarnkrok is actually going to return, it feels imminent and that means good news for the Maple Leafs and potentially bad news for the rest of the league.
More details to come.
