Calle Jarnkrok’s consistency, defensive impact declined significantly upon return from injury

Jarnkrok then suffered a lower-body injury during training camp. He was initially listed as day-to-day but he was placed on long-term injured reserve and underwent groin and sports hernia surgery in November, further delaying his return to the lineup. It was a frustrating year for Jarnkrok, marred by injury and while there was some optimism that he would be the Leafs’ most impactful addition after the deadline, he wasn’t remotely the same player as he was in previous years, registering one assist in 12 regular season games.

How the year went

Jarnkrok was previously used as an everyman of sorts, where he could fill in gaps in the Maple Leafs’ lineup. During a dry spell during the March 2023 campaign, Jarnkrok helped the Leafs find their scoring touch at 5-on-5 and could be slotted throughout the lineup, equally fluent in a second-line or fourth-line role. It spoke to Berube’s confidence in the veteran that he initially placed him on a scoring line with Domi and Nylander as a defensively responsible presence who could win puck battles, faceoffs, and fight through contact.

There wasn’t much of a sample to work with as Jarnkrok spent the majority of the season recovering from surgery. By the time Jarnkrok was available to play, Berube had cemented his top line consisting of Matthew Knies, Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, while there was an open audition for the second line wing role alongside John Tavares and William Nylander. Jarnkrok was brought back into the fold in a fourth-line role alongside David Kampf and Connor Dewar (eventually traded at the deadline) on March 3 against the San Jose Sharks, where his teammates were thrilled about his return.

“It took a while to get going. Timing a little off, thought it got a little better as the game went on,” Jarnkrok said post-game. “It’s usually one game, and then you’re kind of back in it. But you just got to get that first one out of the way.”

Toronto acquired Scott Laughton at the trade deadline and he quickly became one of Jarnkrok’s most common linemates. Jarnkrok was used on a makeshift third line alongside Domi and Laughton and it simply didn’t work. Laughton seemed to appreciate Jarnkrok’s positional flexibility heading into the playoffs, and both players were staples of the fourth line alongside Steven Lorentz during the playoffs.

Jarnkrok barely made a dent during the regular season, which could be expected to a degree. There was certainly some anticipation that Jarnkrok would find his form in time.

“He’s still working to get his feet going under him,” Berube said of Jarnkrok on April 12. “Been out a long time, working his way through it and he’s doing a good job. I do expect him to get to another level yet.”

Jarnkrok still struggled throughout the playoffs, with the Maple Leafs sporting a minus-three goal differential and a 36.6 percent share of the expected goals when he was on the ice at 5-on-5. You can often discount the analytical profile of bottom-six players as they are there to augment the top-six and provide impact that is often intangible, but he didn’t have the same motor on the forecheck, with virtually zero offensive impact.

It’s cruel to be overtly critical of players for injuries as it’s out of their control, but it’s clear that Jarnkrok wasn’t remotely the same player as he was in the past, struggling to play to his strengths. Jarnkrok is under contract for one more year, where he’ll likely start on the fourth line but there are no guarantees.

Statistical profile

All stats 5-on-5 via Natural Stat Trick, minimum of 200 minutes played

There is a barely large enough sample to meaningfully analyze Jarnkrok’s regular season impact and it’s not a pretty picture. Jarnkrok’s zero percent shooting can be accounted for the simple fact that he registered eight shots at 5-on-5 in 12 regular season games without a goal. Perhaps what’s even more troubling is his waning defensive impact, where teams often won their minutes when Jarnkrok was on the ice in a bottom-six role. He finished last place in the NHL in Corsi and grades out as one of the worst defensive forwards in the NHL, not accounting for quality of opponent faced. It was an awful year for Jarnkrok and perhaps a summer full of rest is what’s needed for the 33-year-old.

Select highlights

Power play goal vs. Utah Hockey Club, March 10, 2025