Maple Leafs Confirm Yet Another Injury for Veteran Forward Calle Jarnkrok

It's been tough sledding for Jarnkrok over the past calendar year, having missed two lengthy stints last season for the Maple Leafs with separate hand injuries. The Swedish winger appeared in just 53 games for the Leafs last season, and now finds himself on the injured list once again, this time with a lower-body ailment.

Jarnkrok is just a couple of years removed from the best statistical season of his NHL career, having scored 20 goals with the Leafs in 2022-23. His 39 points that season were also a career high.

Originally, it appeared as though Jarnkrok would be tethered to William Nylander and Max Domi to form a new-look middle-six line, which would have challenged the expected trio of Bobby McMann, John Tavares and Nick Robertson for top-6 minutes. Now, it's unclear whether the Domi, Nylander, Jarnkrok trio will remain together or if the coaching staff might pivot to someone like Nikita Grebenkin in that spot, as the youngster has really impressed thus far in camp.

The Galve, Sweden native will celebrate his 33rd birthday on Wednesday, but with the injuries having piled up so frequently over the past couple of years, you have to wonder whether the Leafs would be better off moving on from Jarnkrok this year and offering his spot to someone with a little more youth and durability. All of Nikita Grebenkin, Easton Cowan and Nick Robertson could benefit from additional playing time in the pre-season and could be nice additions to the main group this season.

With the Maple Leafs tight up against the salary cap, moving off of Jarnkrok's $2.1M cap hit for 2 more seasons could be a worthwhile option to help create some room under the cap to allow the Leafs to carry a 22-man or 23-man roster.