{"id":554819,"date":"2026-04-17T22:10:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-17T22:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/554819\/"},"modified":"2026-04-17T22:10:00","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T22:10:00","slug":"maple-leafs-finally-get-out-of-jarnkrok-contract-the-hockey-writers-toronto-maple-leafs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/554819\/","title":{"rendered":"Maple Leafs Finally Get Out of J\u00e4rnkrok Contract – The Hockey Writers – Toronto Maple Leafs"},"content":{"rendered":"

At the time, the Toronto Maple Leafs signing Calle J\u00e4rnkrok<\/a> was a depth boost for a team looking for more offence from the bottom half of their lineup. His quick and hard release gave the team hope that he could be a strong addition to that bottom-six.<\/p>\n

Four years later, and seasons riddled with injuries<\/a> and inconsistencies and the Maple Leafs\u2019 fanbase will breathe at least one sigh of relief as they get out from under a contract for a player that never lived up to expectation.<\/p>\n

Looking Back at Maple Leafs Signing J\u00e4rnkrok<\/p>\n

It was during free agency in the summer of 2022, and the Maple Leafs were looking to fill holes in a lineup that just couldn\u2019t get over the hump when it came to the playoffs and first-round disappointment. On July 15, then general manager Kyle Dubas went out and secured a veteran free agent<\/a> forward in J\u00e4rnkrok.<\/p>\n

\"CalleCalle Jarnkrok, Toronto Maple Leafs (Amy Irvin<\/a> \/ The Hockey Writers)<\/p>\n

At the time, J\u00e4rnkrok was 30 years old and coming off a season in which he posted 12 goals and 30 points in 66 games between the Seattle Kraken and Calgary Flames. His career-high in points at that point had been 35 points with the Nashville Predators in 2017-18.<\/p>\n

Dubas signed J\u00e4rnkork to a four-year deal, carrying an annual average value<\/a> (AAV) of $2.1 million. At first, it seemed like a good depth signing for Dubas and the Maple Leafs.<\/p>\n

J\u00e4rnkrok Gave Leafs Nation Hope in Year One<\/p>\n

A second-round pick by the Detroit Red Wings in 2010, J\u00e4rnkrok brought speed and a deceptive shot to the Maple Leafs to kick off the 2022-23 season. He played up and down the team\u2019s lineup, even getting some time on the top line. For the first time since 2018-19, J\u00e4rnkrok managed to hit the 70-game mark in the season, playing 73 games for the Maple Leafs and ultimately setting a new career-high in points.<\/p>\n

J\u00e4rnkrok finished with his first 20-goal season in the NHL and set a new career-high with 39 points while averaging just over 14 minutes per game. He also had his highest shooting percentage of his career, scoring at an 18.9 percent clip.<\/p>\n

But injuries would soon play a part in his career and the final three years of his contract with the Maple Leafs would come with question marks and deliberation around whether or not he should even be in the active lineup.<\/p>\n

J\u00e4rnkrok\u2019s Fall From Mediocrity<\/p>\n

His second season with the Maple Leafs he played just 52 games, but was on pace for another 30-point season. His final two seasons, he combined for 75 games played with seven goals and 15 points. His 2024-25 season consisted of just 19 games played.<\/p>\n

J\u00e4rnkrok saw a decline in ice-time over the three-year span from over 15 minutes per game to just under 12 minutes this past season. Outsiders began questioning why he was still being placed into the lineup when players like Easton Cowan were being healthy scratched at times this season.<\/p>\n

\"CalleCalle Jarnkrok, Toronto Maple Leafs (Jess Starr<\/a>\/The Hockey Writers)<\/p>\n

Rumours swirled that he was set to leave the NHL at the end of the season and head back to Sweden. Those rumours were eventually shot down<\/a> and when it came to locker clean out, J\u00e4rnkrok refused to address the Toronto media.<\/p>\n

While injuries played a major part in his decline, his start was at a level of mediocrity already. From there, the veteran forward only had one way of going.<\/p>\n

Sure, we can argue that a $2.1-million hit against the rising cap over the last four years wasn\u2019t the only hinderance on this team\u2019s success. However, his place hold in the lineup may have been one sticking point that ultimately had some questioning the oversights by the Maple Leafs\u2019 front office and coaching staff.<\/p>\n

Looking back, the J\u00e4rnkrok signing four seasons ago may have simply been another misstep in a long list of organizational deficiencies trying to build around a fractured core.<\/p>\n

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