Predators' Calle Jarnkrok out rest of regular season with upper-body injury

The Nashville Predators have announced that Calle Jarnkrok will be out for the rest of the regular season after suffering an upper-body injury in Tuesday’s game. The release does not include any details on a potential playoff return or a timeline on his recovery. According to Adam Vingan of the Tennessean, Jarnkrok was seen with his right arm in a sling after the game.

Jarnkrok, 26, has been one of the most versatile players for the Predators all season long. After being a depth center for the team in his first few seasons, Jarnkrok has moved back and forth to the wing whenever the Predators have needed him to, and it has resulted in a career-high 35 points and a +20 rating. He logs more short-handed ice time than any other forward for the Predators and has even contributed on the power play whenever asked.

Though the Predators loaded up down the middle this season by adding Kyle Turris and Mike Fisher, and acquired Ryan Hartman at the deadline to give them another young weapon, losing Jarnkrok will hurt. Nashville looks like the top contender for the Stanley Cup as the Preds head toward the playoffs, but even with their impressive depth can’t take too many hits like this. We’ll see how their lineup shakes out after dealing with the loss and who steps into the important penalty-killing role down the stretch.