The Toronto Maple Leafs could soon have forward Calle Jarnkrok back from injury. He's been on LTIR since the beginning of the season. The 33-year-old Swede had groin and sports hernia surgery in mid-November. It's been a long road of recovery, but he's almost at the finish line.
The Toronto Maple Leafs forward was on the ice for the second straight day with the team as they practiced inside the Ford Performance Centre on Wednesday. Jarnkrok spoke about getting himself game-ready. He said he will need a couple more practices before he can enter back into the Leafs lineup.
Jarnkrok also stated that he is feeling great and that it's fun to be back out on the ice with the guys again. It's been a long season of healing and waiting for Jarnkrok, so to be back on the ice and practicing is a promising sign for sure.
It is doubtful that he will play tonight when the Leafs play the Chicago Blackhawks, however, there is a good chance that he could be ready to play by Tuesday, February 25th when the Leafs are in Boston to play the Bruins.
Calle Jarnkrok's Return Coming Soon
Jarnkrok registered 10 goals and 11 assists last season for 21 points in 52 games. The season before that (2022-23), he registered 20 goals and 19 assists for 39 points in 73 games.
I'm sure it will take Jarnkrok a few games to get back up to speed and get rid of any rust from being out so long, but the Leafs need secondary scoring, and Jarnkrok's return will at least give Leafs head coach Craig Berube some different lineup options.
(Stats from hockey-reference.com)
But at the same time, he makes just under $3 million against the cap and the Leafs are already in cap trouble ahead of the Trade Deadline. Jarnkrok is an obvious improvement over some of the players they've been dressing - such as Max Pacioretty - but his cap hit and the impending deadline makes the timing of this somewhat inconvenient.
While discussing Jarnkrok, Berube described him as a "Swiss Army Knife," as he can play up and down through the lineup. During his time in Toronto, Jarnkrok has played on the wing and at centre. He's spent time on the top line when they've needed him to, but mostly on the third or second line. I'm sure Jarnkrok will be fine playing wherever Berube puts him, because he'll just be happy to be back in the lineup and playing again.
By adding Jarnkrok back into the lineup, Berube could use him on the penalty kill. The Leafs PK is 13th in the NHL right now, which isn't bad, but it could be better. Jarnkrok has spent plenty of time killing penalties with the Leafs and having him rejoin the PK could give it a boost into the NHL's top 10. It will be good to see him return, whenever that happens to be.
As mentioned, the Leafs are in Chicago tonight.