Major Development Unfolds for Calle Jarnkrok and the Maple Leafs

Having not played at all this season, Calle Jarnkrok's been trying to work his way back from a sports hernia injury and given how Toronto's list of ailments keeps growing by the day it seems; his return would be a much welcomed one.

But at Maple Leafs practice on Tuesday, the team saw a massive step forward for the veteran pivot, as he was seen skating in a blue jersey; and not a non-contact one.

If Jarnkrok is going to come back soon, it makes Toronto's life a lot easier; at least in the short-term. The team's third-line has been their biggest struggle offensively (and defensively at times) and Jarnkrok would solve a lot of issues.

He would take over at enter and move Max Domi to the wing, can provide scoring depth, plays disciplined and could use his hockey IQ to find players in transition and create more scoring chances.

Last season, Jarnkrok had a down year offensively with only 10 goals and 11 assists but is only two seasons removed from a 20-goal outburst. He doesn't throw a lot of hits or block a lot of shots, but he's savvy with the stick and uses his positioning to disrupt opponents.

His teams are also consistently better with him on the ice, and more often than not dictate the pace of the shift when Jarnkrok is on. His possession metrics show he is at nearly 50% for his career, a solid number that shows while he's not perfect; the team is objectively improved.

His emergence also plays well into Toronto's trade strategy, as he can come in and play with Domi and Bobby McMann, opening the door for Nick Robertson to be sent somewhere to add defensive help for Morgan Rielly.

Jarnkrok is in the third year of his four-year, $8.4M contract signed in 2022 with one concern when he returns being his cap hit on the team, making a trade for reinforcements just a little bit tougher.