The details of Jarnkrok's contract are revealed; both the team and the player made concessions
Two days after free agency opened this off-season, Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager Kyle Dubas signed forward Calle Jarnkrok to a four-year deal worth $8.4 Million ($2.1 Million AAV). The deal is a good one for the Leafs and pays Jarnkrok less than what his market value should have been, but he did not accept that deal without some other assurances.
Due to being paid out the yearly maximums in signing bonuses, the 30-year-old's contract is practically buyout proof. If the Leafs' did decide to buy him out, they would only save approximately half a million per year on the salary cap.
Given his age, it is not surprising that Jarnkrok wanted that additional protection. Not only is he going to be receiving large cheques for the next three years every July 1st for his signing bonuses, he also knows it would not benefit the Leafs to buy him out in the latter half of his contract. The versatile forward also negotiated a modified no-trade clause, in which the player submits a 10-team no trade list.
The Swedish forward was coming off of a six-year contract worth $12 million ($2 million AAV) that he signed with Nashville in 2016. Jarnkrok has played a career 574 games, registering 241 points (106 goals & 135 assists). His single season career high in points is 35, but point production does not tell the entire story of his game.
The former second round draft pick has developed into a highly effective defensive presence, who can play any forward position. He can play higher in the lineup with skilled forwards, as well as in a defensive checking line role. On top of that, he is actually a pretty solid finisher.
Given how top-heavy the current forward group is in salary, it is easy to see why the Leafs would want the low maintenance, defensive minded, reasonably-priced Jarnkrok on their roster. Versatility and positional flexibility are the name of the game for Leafs GM Kyle Dubas, and Jarnkrok checks both boxes.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 19 | 494 ANSWERS The details of Jarnkrok's contract are revealed; both the team and the player made concessions What line do you envision Jarnkrok on | ||
| 1st | 19 | 3.8 % |
| 2nd | 121 | 24.5 % |
| 3rd | 321 | 65 % |
| 4th | 33 | 6.7 % |
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