Maple Leafs await critical injury update that could impact trade deadline plans

So with Jarnkrok's status a key factor in Toronto's trade plans: How can Jarnkrok help the Maple Leafs?

Toronto's trade deadline depends heavily on Jarnkrok's ability to produce

We wouldn't even be having this conversation if Jarnkrok was healthy. Expected to be Toronto's third line anchor, a lot of the lineup shuffling is due to his absence.

While last season was a down season for Jarnkrok with only 10 goals and 11 assists -- he's two years removed from a 20-goal outburst. The offensive talent is there, and he's a huge improvement defensively.

For his career, Jarnkrok has 136 goals and 165 assists in 699 games. Drafted by the Red Wings in 2010, he was traded to Nashville in the blockbuster for David Legwand.

Selected by Seattle in the 2021 Expansion Draft, he was traded to Calgary before eventually signing with the Maple Leafs. He is in the third year of his four-year, $8.4M contract.

An elite defensive center, he has never had a season with more giveaways than takeaways, has strong possession numbers and would help Toronto's suddenly struggling penalty kill.

If Jarnkrok can get healthy and contribute before the deadline, Brad Treliving can focus on adding a scoring winger to compliment John Tavares and a defensemen to lend a hand to Morgan Rielly.

He also helps Toronto's prospect pool too, as if he can come in and be the pivot they need -- the team won't need to trade Easton Cowan or Fraser Minten.

With a two-week break for the 4 Nations Face-Off, Jarnkrok has time. But not much of it, and if he can't be the anchor Toronto needs -- the team may drift away from Atlantic supremacy.