Lingering Trade Rumors Leave One Maple Leafs Forward in Uncertain Spot
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
A new report reveals the one Leafs forward still deeply connected in trade talks as the regular season quickly approaches.
With currently 14 NHL forwards on their roster, the Toronto Maple Leafs may have one or two players on the outside looking in, and they have players who may be too valuable to lose on waivers.
Heading into the season, Toronto has been linked in numerous trade rumors both for incoming and outgoing players, and as the Leafs face a looming roster cutdown, they may finally be hitting a deadline to act.
New reporting reveals that the Toronto Maple Leafs still have one name that remains on the rumor block, and one that could still find his way out of Toronto before the season begins.
David Pagnotta Reveals What Happened With Summer Trade Talks
On 'Leafs Morning Take' David Pagnotta revealed new details on the Calle Jarnkrok situation, sharing that the 34-year-old has been a name in trade talks for Toronto, but ultimately finding a deal hasn't come for the Leafs.
The Swede had a goal and seven points in 19 games last season, having missed the majority of the year due to a hernia injury.
Jarnkrok is one of the Leafs depth players who has been linked to trade rumors in the offseason from reporters, although no deal has managed to emerge and at this time Jarnkrok remains a Toronto Maple Leaf.
Pagnotta says that a deal in the summer wasn't able to come to fruition, leaving it unknown what will be the case for Jarnkrok as the season starts.
Jarnkrok was limited to just 19 games last season due to injury with seven points in that time. In contention for a potential spot on the Leafs fourth line, Jarnkrok is someone who is a borderline roster option as it stands.
Not only is it Jarnkrok who is involved in trade rumors, but as well as fellow Leafs forwards David Kampf and Nick Robertson, two players who are also looking for potential spots and like Jarnkrok are not certain to make the team.
Why Trade Rumors Around Calle Järnkrok Haven't Gone Away
The Toronto Maple Leafs have a deep roster at forward and not enough spots for the talent level they have, making it almost certain that a move could be in the works.
Jarnkrok is in the final year of a four-year contract making $2.1M for this upcoming season, a deal slightly on the higher side for a borderline fourth liner, but still has the talent to be claimed off waivers.
A good preseason game led by an early goal has made Jarnkrok look like someone who is on the rebound, but carries a known injury history that would be a risk for Toronto.
Like Jarnkrok, Robertson & Kampf are players who could both be of interest in a trade as well as with a path to a waiver claim if they were to be for the purpose of sending them to the AHL.
Even with his injury troubles, Jarnkrok has shown he can still be a bottom-six forward for a team, and still seems above an AHL forward.
Jarnkrok is also someone who for another team could find a way to be part of their roster, on one less deep than Toronto's.
With just under $2M in cap space, turning their depth options into salary room could be beneficial for Toronto who may want to add later on down the road.
Not wanting to give anything away for free, a trade could present for Toronto a strong desire to avoid losing players for nothing, a gamble the Leafs can't afford.
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