What does a successful 2025-26 season look like for Calle Jarnkrok?

If there’s anyone on the Toronto Maple Leafs who could use a bounce-back season in 2025-26, Calle Jarnkrok tops the list.

The veteran forward appeared in just 19 regular season games last year, scoring just one goal and adding six assists. Jarnkrok missed the majority of the regular season after undergoing groin and sports hernia surgery thanks to a training-camp injury. Unfortunately for Jarnkrok and the Leafs, once he returned to the lineup in the late stages of the season, he could never catch up and get back to his ‘normal’ self.

Jarnkrok would go on to appear in 12 Stanley Cup Playoff games, and while he had some great defensive games alongside Scott Laughton and Steven Lorentz on the Leafs make-shift newfound fourth line, Jarnkrok wasn’t able to consistently produce on both sides of the puck. He chipped in with just one assists in 12 postseason games. It was quite the fall from grace after he was slated to start the season on Craig Berube’s second line alongside Max Domi and William Nylander. Now, heading into next season, Jarnkrok is in a battle for a job among the Leafs’ bottom six.

The 33-year-old native of Gavle, Sweden is entering the final season of his contract, earning $2.1 million against the cap. Jarnkrok owns a 10-team no-trade clause throughout this season, however, because of the injury last season and not really ever getting his legs back to 100%, his trade value couldn’t be much less at the moment. Don’t expect to see general manager Brad Treliving move Jarnkrok during training camp, even though there’s a log jam up front for the Maple Leafs. Nick Robertson is a much likelier trade candidate at this point just given his age and potential untapped upside which other teams will gravitate towards.

The goal: Solidify himself a spot on right wing on the top line

With Mitch Marner departing, Jarnkrok has a golden opportunity to play alongside Matthew Knies and Auston Matthews. Jarnkrok isn’t a complete stranger to Matthews’ wing, as he’s seen moments throughout his Leafs’ tenure on the top line, and with his speed, work ethic, and fast release, has produced in the past.

Jarnkrok will have to fend off Max Domi, who is likely to get a serious look on the top line as well. Both players are versatile to play either wing or down the middle, which makes them valuable to Berube, but this will be one of the more entertaining internal competitions at training camp.

The expectation: Checking role alongside Lorentz and Laughton

While playing 20 minutes a night on the top line should be Jarnkrok’s goal, the more realistic expectation for the veteran forward is to become a regular on Berube’s checking line alongside Lorentz and Laughton. Jarnkrok should be worried about outworking the other team’s top lines, and shutting down their offence during their defensive matchups.

In an ideal world, Jarnkrok scores 15 goals and plays 15 minutes a night on the Leafs fourth line, thanks to being one of the first options to jump over the boards on the penalty kill. With Marner going, Jarnkrok is going to need to step up even more shorthanded, as he’ll be one of the leaders for the Maple Leafs’ PK.

With Jarnkrok’s ability to play centre in the past, keep an eye on how Nicolas Roy is doing throughout the early stages of the season, and the same can be said about Laughton, in his first full season in Toronto. If either of these centres get off to a slow start, Jarnkrok could slide to the middle and give Berube another right-handed pivot option.

The 2025-26 season is essentially a make-or-break year for Jarnkrok. Solidify himself a role on this team, and land another long-term contract to stick around in Toronto. Struggle again for the second season in a row, and Jarnkrok’s going to be in his mid 30’s, looking for a new team next summer, and likely settling for a one-year deal.