Stop the Panic: Maple Leafs Don't Need to Trade These Two Forwards Right Now
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
There seems to be a lot of talk about Toronto needing to get rid of Calle Jarnkrok and Nick Robertson however they don't have to necessarily rush to get a deal done.
The talk of the town over the summer has been over whether or not the Toronto Maple Leafs are going to find a deal for one of their trio of forwards who are on the outs: David Kampf, Calle Jarnkrok, and Nick Robertson.
While Kampf is the most likely candidate to be booted out of town, the latter two have at least some versatility (Jarnkrok) or potential (Robertson) and are at a much cheaper cost than Kampf.
But with a roster logjam and a new group of players who are ready to make an impact, the question becomes now what to do with them if they can't make a deal somehow, and a lot of discussion has been about waiving one of them.
Why Waiver Talk Is Overblown for the Maple Leafs Right Now
However the team doesn't necessarily need to do to and still be in a good spot. The team could send Michael Pezzetta or Easton Cowan down to the Marlies in order to keep spots open for both men, who would be much more reliable depth options.
If Toronto does end up demoting one of Cowan or Pezzetta they would need to waive a player still in order to make room, which they could do with Henry Thrun or Philippe Myers.
With the defensive pipeline strong in Toronto, and the potential for another deal to bring in a blueliner in the future, losing one of them wouldn't be the worst thing.
Thrun is young and has the potential to be a solid playmaker, however the team can also get the same out of prospects like John Prokop, William Villeneuve and Victor Johansson.
He was taken as part of the Ryan Reaves deal, and while his potential is there, it's unlikely that he can fight for a spot this season; whereas Toronto needs room now.
Myers has a bit more skin in the game, with his size and defensive potential and would be less likely to be claimed off waivers than Thrun.
He earned a lot of praise last season but has been quiet this preseason and is fighting to keep his spot next to guys like Thrun, Dakota Mermis, and Noah Chadwick.
How Jarnkrok and Robertson Actually Fit Into the Roster Puzzle
So in keeping both men, where do they fit? It would certainly be more of a depth role for both depending on how Craig Berube wants to use them but we can gauge how they'd be used.
Jarnkrok's versatility and flexibility gives him the ability to slide up and down the lineup where needed, he can kill penalties, and his motivation to bounce back after a rough year in 2024 should give the lineup a boost.
He would most likely be given time on the fourth line, however if there are injury concerns which means guys like Matias Maccelli or Bobby McMann needing to leap up, expect Jarnkrok to do the same.
Last year, he skated in only 19 games for the Maple Leafs after sports hernia surgery, and register 7 points (1 goal, 6 assists).
Robertson is a completely different beast, and he is definitely going to be utilized more in an offensive role if the team needs a spark. He would most likely be used in the bottom-six but he can certainly flourish there.
If he were to join the third line to replace Maccelli at times, he has Nic Roy and Dakota Joshua flanking him, which gives him a playmaker and a punishing bruiser to open up space and help him get more chances.
But he can also do damage with Scott Laughton and Steven Lorentz, as we saw that Cowan seemed to help unlock their offensive potential and Robertson could do the same if he puts in the effort.
Robertson was inconsistent last season but did post a career high 15 goals, and has been fairly average so far this preseason, so his job still isn't secure regardless of if the team should keep him or not.
So Toronto doesn't need to end up making a waiver move with Calle Jarnkrok or Nick Robertson, however their fit isn't going to be as secure as it once was if they do stick around.
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