Toronto Maple Leaf Calle Jornkrok skating on the ice in a game waiting for the puck
Photo credit: The Globe and Mail

Maple Leafs Forward Reportedly Linked to Penguins

Published February 20, 2024 at 11:11
BY
SHARE THIS STORY
FOLLOW US

The Toronto Maple Leafs are at a crossroads with forward Calle Jarnkrok. He has been out of their lineup recently recovering from a broken knuckle. During this time they have been able to assess their play without him in the lineup. Based on what they have seen, he looks more expendable than ever.

With players like Bobby McMann and Pontus Holmberg settling in in their NHL roles, this gives Toronto the flexibility to possible make a move with Jarnkrok.

In addition to the Buffalo Sabres, and the Vancouver Canucks, one destination that Jarnkrok can land would be in Pittsburgh.




Dubas and His Familiarity with Jarnkrok Could Make Pittsburgh a Good Destination for the Foward



It is known that Kyle Dubas and Calle Jarnkrok are familiar with each other from Dubas GM stint in Toronto. Dubas acquired him from the Calgary Flames, and then signed him to a 4-year contract extension. If Toronto's GM Brad Treliving does make Jarnkrok available, the Penguins and Dubas could seek him out.

The Penguins are struggling, and that puts them into a tough situation. They could be selling off pieces before the trade deadline, like Jake Guentzel. But with Sidney Crosby still on the team and performing at the top of his game, they are not looking to go full rebuild.

With a Guentzel Trade Before the Deadline Not Out of the Question, Jarnkrok Could Help the Team in a Soft Rebuild



This is where Jarnkrok can step in. He can be a 20 goal scorer at the NHL level, as he has shown last year. He can also dig for the puck and dish it to Crosby and Malkin. He would be a good alternative in the middle between a full rebuild and doing nothing.

The one sticking point would be his cap hit. But if the Penguins really do move Guentzel, then that could resolve that issue and they would be able to take on his $2.1 million cap hit.

So, would Calle Jarnkrok be a good addition to the struggling Penguins?

As Read On: The Hockey Writers - 3 Trade Destinations for Maple Leafs' Calle Jarnkrok
POLL
February 20   |   168 answers
Maple Leafs Forward Reportedly Linked to Penguins

Should the Penguins look to trade for Calle Jornkrok

Yes6337.5 %
No10562.5 %
LIST OF POLL
Latest 10 stories
TOP 5
LEADERS
GPGAPTS
1-  IVAN BARBASHEV
2336
2-  JACK EICHEL
2156
3-  CLAYTON KELLER
3336
4-  JORDAN KYROU
3246
5-  JONATHAN HUBERDEAU
2325
6-  MATTHEW BOLDY
2235
7-  MARK STONE
2235
8-  SHEA THEODORE
2145
9-  DYLAN GUENTHER
3505
10-  BARRETT HAYTON
3325
2024-2025 LEADERS  
FOLLOW US
facebook
47 054 followers