In a previous article, it was suggested that the Toronto Maple Leafs might consider trading both Calle Jarnkrok and David Kampf to strengthen their overall lineup. With the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline approaching in just over two weeks, there’s a pertinent discussion to be had: should the Maple Leafs trade their bottom-six players to bolster their team? The resounding answer is yes — unequivocally. They require assistance on the blue line, and if that entails trading Jarnkrok from their bottom six, it’s a necessary move.
The Maple Leafs find themselves in a unique position with Jarnkrok; he’s been sidelined due to a broken knuckle since January 27, 2023. This absence has afforded the management an opportunity to observe that the team can function adequately without him in the lineup. Despite his solid performance this season, he may now be deemed expendable more than ever. The emergence of players like Bobby McMann and Pontus Holmberg as regular NHL contributors provides the team with added impetus to prioritize a player with a higher cap hit. Therefore, here are three potential destinations for Jarnkrok if the Maple Leafs opt to trade him.
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins should not come as a surprise to anyone. Jarnkrok and Penguins’ general manager Kyle Dubas are acquainted, given Dubas’ past tenure as the Maple Leafs’ GM, during which he acquired and re-signed Jarnkrok. Should Brad Treliving make Jarnkrok available, he could be a prime target for Dubas.
The Penguins find themselves in an intriguing position; they’re not performing as well as anticipated, which may lead to them offloading assets at the deadline, such as Jake Guentzel. However, with players like Sidney Crosby on the roster, a complete rebuild seems unlikely. This is where Jarnkrok comes into play. He has demonstrated an ability to score 20 goals in the NHL, and his versatility could complement stars like Crosby or Evgeni Malkin. While salary cap considerations present a challenge, shedding Guentzel’s contract could create space to absorb Jarnkrok’s $2.1 million cap hit.
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres have had a dismal season, and GM Kevyn Adams is likely to seek changes to their roster composition. Although the history between the two teams might make a trade less probable, it could still be beneficial for both parties.
Treliving might target a depth defenseman or a bottom-six player like Jordan Greenway, while Adams could benefit from adding a veteran scorer like Jarnkrok to support their young talent. The Sabres possess ample salary cap flexibility to absorb Jarnkrok’s contract, but they may prefer to include a roster player in the deal.
