The Toronto Maple Leafs appear set to welcome Calle Jarnkrok back into the fold sooner rather than later.
"I feel I could play," the forward said following his first full practice with the Maple Leafs since sustaining a broken knuckle in practice back in late January.
The utility forward took part in the full session with his teammates and occupied the right side of the team's third line alongside John Tavares and Bobby McMann.
Nick Robertson, who had been a fixture in that spot for quite some time, was the odd man looking in.
The Maple Leafs won't know until Saturday morning if Jarnkrok is fully ready to return but they spent the practice session preparing as though he might.
Although the Leafs have been able to win games without the Swede, Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe is eager for the player to return.
"You do miss him because he provides a lot for you," Keefe said. "He gives our group a boost. He impacts the game and impacts the team in different ways."
The forward should help the team defensively and provide another body to use on the penalty kill. But it looks like his spot in the lineup may come at the expense of Nick Robertson, who skated as a scratch. The 22-year-old has just two assists in six games, spending a lot of that time playing Tavares, who was demoted into his current spot. But outside of that, Robertson could find himself to be a victim of circumstance once again when it comes to his contract.
The Maple Leafs will need to make room for Jarnkrok's $2.1 million AAV when he's activated from LTIR. Given that they have just over $1.4 million available per PuckPedia.com, they could make up the additional $700k easily by moving Conor Timmins (mononucleosis) over from injured reserve to long-term injured reserve if need be. But as the current roster sits at the allowable maximum of 23 players, Jarnkrok's activation means someone has to be taken out.
Heading into this season, Robertson was one of three players that are on the roster right now that could be sent down to the minors without the need for waivers. Matthew Knies and Pontus Holmberg were the others.
Holmberg just completed his 70th NHL game and at 24-years-old that milestone means he now required waivers in order to be sent down. Given his current fit with David Kampf and Ryan Reaves, the Leafs are understandably reluctant to do that.
And there's no chance the Leafs would contemplate sending Knies down, given his consistent play on the team's top line alongside starts Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews.
As the Leafs look to find a roster spot for Jarnkrok, sending down Robertson for games in which he isn't playing, appears to be the only move the Leafs have right now that doesn't require waivers.
"When Jarny comes back it’s going to force us to make some tough decisions," Keefe said. "Certainly we’re a better team when he’s in."
The 32-year-old Jarnkrok has 10 goals and nine assists in 46 games this season. Robertson went through something similar at the beginning of the 2022-23 season when he performed well during training camp but had to start his season with the Toronto Marlies due to roster and contract limitations.
If Jarnkrok is not ready to return on Saturday, the Leafs could buy more time and see what else happens when it comes to adding more players or other injuries that could occur that might open up flexibility. The 23-man roster limited is removed on the same day as trade deadline day (March 8).
More must-reads: