Calle Jarnkrok #19 of the Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs received some disappointing news Monday as it was revealed that forward Calle Jarnkrok has undergone groin and sports hernia surgery. The 33-year-old Swede will be sidelined indefinitely, with a recovery timeline of approximately 12 weeks, putting his return in question for much of the remainder of the season. This marks the latest setback for a team that has already been navigating various injury concerns early in the 2024-25 campaign.
Jarnkrok’s Impact and Absence
Jarnkrok, who has been on long-term injured reserve (LTIR) since the start of the season, has yet to play a game this year. The surgery comes as a blow to the Maple Leafs, who were hoping to get a healthy, contributing player back into their lineup. Toronto head coach Craig Berube expressed his frustration with the situation, noting that Jarnkrok was a player they were excited to have at full strength.
“It’s too bad, because he’s a player we liked and can help us and really haven’t had that opportunity to do that,” Berube said.
Jarnkrok’s absence is felt particularly in his role as a reliable defensive forward, strong forechecker, and penalty killer—traits that made him an important asset since his arrival in 2022. Over his two seasons with Toronto, he has contributed 30 goals and 30 assists in 125 games, bringing stability to the bottom six and contributing to the team’s special teams play.
A Versatile Career and a Setback for Toronto
The 33-year-old has spent 11 seasons in the NHL, with stints at the Nashville Predators, Calgary Flames, Seattle Kraken, and the Maple Leafs. Across 699 career games, Jarnkrok has tallied 301 points (136 goals, 165 assists). His consistent two-way play has earned him respect as a key depth piece for the Maple Leafs, but this injury now raises the stakes for the team as they work to maintain their strong start to the season.
With Jarnkrok on LTIR, Toronto’s roster flexibility improves from a cap perspective. The Leafs now have room to explore potential roster upgrades as they monitor his recovery. The team’s cap space will be freed up until Jarnkrok is activated, and once he is healthy enough to return, his $2.1 million cap hit will be added back onto the books.
A Strong Start Amidst the Injuries
Despite dealing with multiple injuries, the Maple Leafs have started the 2024-25 season on a strong note. With an 11-6-2 record through the first 19 games, they currently sit in second place in the competitive Atlantic Division, trailing only the reigning Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers (12-5-1). Toronto has been able to maintain a winning pace, but the road ahead could get tougher as they await the returns of several key players, including Jarnkrok.
What’s Next for the Maple Leafs?
As Jarnkrok’s recovery continues, the Maple Leafs will have to rely on their forward depth to fill the void. While he may not be a top-line player, his all-around game and ability to contribute in various situations made him a valuable piece in Toronto’s lineup. The Leafs will now need to look to other players to step up, especially on the penalty kill and in 5-on-5 situations.
For Toronto, the hope is that Jarnkrok’s surgery and lengthy recovery will ultimately pay off in the second half of the season, as he will be crucial in the team’s depth push toward the playoffs. With a deep roster and several options to plug into the lineup, the Maple Leafs have the ability to weather the storm, but they’ll need to continue to perform at a high level while waiting for one of their trusted veterans to return to form.
In the meantime, the Leafs will lean on the likes of Auston Matthews, John Tavares, and Mitch Marner to carry the offensive load, while the team’s defensive structure, led by the likes of Morgan Rielly and the solid goaltending of Ilya Samsonov, remains critical to keeping them in the playoff race.
