Maple Leafs finally done with Calle Jarnkrok contract

At the time, Järnkrok was 30 years old and coming off a season in which he posted 12 goals and 30 points in 66 games between the Seattle Kraken and Calgary Flames. His career-high in points at that point had been 35 points with the Nashville Predators in 2017-18.

Dubas signed Järnkork to a four-year deal, carrying an annual average value (AAV) of $2.1 million. At first, it seemed like a good depth signing for Dubas and the Maple Leafs.

Calle Järnkrok gave Leafs Nation hope in year one

A second-round pick by the Detroit Red Wings in 2010, Järnkrok brought speed and a deceptive shot to the Maple Leafs to kick off the 2022-23 season. He played up and down the team’s lineup, even getting some time on the top line. For the first time since 2018-19, Järnkrok managed to hit the 70-game mark in the season, playing 73 games for the Maple Leafs and ultimately setting a new career-high in points.

Järnkrok finished with his first 20-goal season in the NHL and set a new career-high with 39 points while averaging just over 14 minutes per game. He also had his highest shooting percentage of his career, scoring at an 18.9 percent clip.

But injuries would soon play a part in his career and the final three years of his contract with the Maple Leafs would come with question marks and deliberation around whether or not he should even be in the active lineup.

Calle Järnkrok’s fall from mediocrity

His second season with the Maple Leafs he played just 52 games, but was on pace for another 30-point season. His final two seasons, he combined for 75 games played with seven goals and 15 points. His 2024-25 season consisted of just 19 games played.

Järnkrok saw a decline in ice-time over the three-year span from over 15 minutes per game to just under 12 minutes this past season. Outsiders began questioning why he was still being placed into the lineup when players like Easton Cowan were being healthy scratched at times this season.

Rumors swirled that he was set to leave the NHL at the end of the season and head back to Sweden. Those rumors were eventually shot down, and when it came to locker clean out, Järnkrok refused to address the Toronto media.

While injuries played a major part in his decline, his start was at a level of mediocrity already. From there, the veteran forward only had one way of going.

Sure, we can argue that a $2.1 million hit against the rising cap over the last four years wasn’t the only hinderance on this team’s success. However, his place in the lineup may have been one sticking point that ultimately had some questioning the oversights by the Maple Leafs’ front office and coaching staff.

Looking back, the Järnkrok signing four seasons ago may have simply been another misstep in a long list of organizational deficiencies trying to build around a fractured core.