Maple Leafs forward Calle Jarnkrok could be on his way out of Toronto, per report
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Calle Jarnkrok has reportedly agreed verbally to join Brynas IF of the SHL, and will do so after the 2025-26 season.
While he continues to help the Toronto Maple Leafs pursue a Stanley Cup currently, Calle Jarnkrok is going to be a free agent at the end of this season, and will need to be thinking about his future, especially given his age and the direction Toronto is heading.
He's been a staple of the lineup for years, but with the team trying to get a little tougher, grittier, and younger; this may be Jarnkrok's final year with the team.
A new rumor that's come out of Sweden has also given a lot of credence to that outcome, as Hans Abrahamsson reports that Jarnkrok has already figured out the next steps in his career.
Calle Jarnkrok verbally agrees to deal to return to Sweden after 2025-26 season
Reported by Abrahamsson and confirmed by Swedish news outlet Expressen, Jarnkrok has verbally agreed to a deal with Brynas IF of the SHL to make a return to Sweden for the 2026-27 season.
Translated from Swedish, the articles read as follows.
Brynas-Bomb: Agrees to deal with Jarnkrok
After the move, [Nicklas] Backstrom was asked by Expressen how he assessed the likelihood, on a scale of one to five, that more stars would join after him.
When Calle Jarnkrok's name was mentioned, Backstrom answered a five, meaning highly likely.
And that's what it looks like. According to information to Aftonbladet, Brynas and Jarnkrok have verbally agreed on a comeback for next season as long as Jarnkrok's body holds up.
When Calle Jarnkrok's name was mentioned, Backstrom answered a five, meaning highly likely.
And that's what it looks like. According to information to Aftonbladet, Brynas and Jarnkrok have verbally agreed on a comeback for next season as long as Jarnkrok's body holds up.
While there is nothing to confirm on the Maple Leafs end regarding a Jarnkrok move back to Sweden in the future, it does bring up a bit of an interesting scenario for them.
Right now, the team is using him sparingly and if he already has visions of returning home next year, why not try and get something for him now?
Toronto should trade Calle Jarnkrok if he's already headed out
If he's all but guaranteed to leave the NHL, and you're not using him, then why not try and recoup something for him? Even a low-end draft pick could be used to not only open up cap space, but give Toronto an extra asset to work with.
Jarnkrok, 34, is no stranger to Brynas as he spent his entire junior and early career with the team starting in 2007-2008 with the J18 squad.
His time in the NHL has been fairly successful all things considered, and while he never won the big one yet, has carved out a solid career.
With the Maple Leafs, he's suited up for 163 games over four seasons (including this year) and has 71 points (35 goals, 36 assists), a plus-19, and 40 PIM. This season he has four goals in 19 games.
Toronto now has to figure out how to best replace someone like Jarnkrok, and whether that be internally through the Marlies, or through external measures like a trade or free agency.
Either way, it looks like this might be last year we see Calle Jarnkrok in a Maple Leafs uniform and potentially the NHL in general.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 10|1288 ANSWERS Maple Leafs forward Calle Jarnkrok could be on his way out of Toronto, per report Should Toronto trade Calle Jarnkrok if he isn't returning? | ||
| Yes | 1160 | 90.1 % |
| No | 128 | 9.9 % |
| List of polls | ||