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The real reason Calle Jarnkrok is no longer a Maple Leaf revealed
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- The real reason Calle Jarnkrok is no longer a Maple Leaf revealed
The real reason Calle Jarnkrok is no longer a Maple Leaf revealed
After four relatively quiet seasons in Toronto , Calle Jarnkrok 's time as a Maple Leaf is officially over. But the circumstances surrounding his departure paint a more complicated picture than a simple roster move.
Brynas, the Swedish club where Jarnkrok began his career as a junior, announced Monday that the 34-year-old forward is returning on a three-year deal. It marks a homecoming to the organization where he played four seasons in the Swedish Elite League between 2009 and 2013, winning a championship during that time.
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The move had been rumored for some time. What hadn't been fully aired until now was the tension between Jarnkrok and former Leafs head coach Craig Berube that reportedly accelerated his exit.
In an interview with Swedish hockey writer Mand Karlsson, Jarnkrok was candid about how his final stretch in Toronto unfolded.
"I've had two tough years and it feels a little bitter not to finish over there the way I wanted," Jarnkrok said. "Maybe that's why the decision took a little longer."
He went further, pointing directly to his relationship with Berube as a turning point.
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"Two years ago, I basically couldn't play. But last year I came in feeling in really great shape. I scored goals and then (past coach Crage Berube) put me in the stands," Jarnkrok said. "It was a little strange. At the time I was very surprised. It became an uphill battle. I played well, but didn't get to play."
The numbers tell a similar story. After a promising 20-goal campaign in his first season with the Leafs, Jarnkrok's role shrank considerably. He managed just 15 points over his final 75 regular season games and contributed only a single goal across 30 playoff contests, a stretch where Toronto desperately needed secondary scoring.
Jarnkrok completed the final year of his four-year, $8.4 million contract this past spring. Over 13 NHL seasons, he suited up for Nashville , Seattle , Calgary , and Toronto.
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Despite the frustration, Jarnkrok did not leave with bitterness toward the city itself. "It was great fun to play in Toronto," he said. "The whole city loves hockey."
With Jarnkrok gone, new general manager John Chayka has already moved to reshape the bottom six, bringing in forwards Teddy Blueger , Colton Sissons , and Brandon Duhaime during the offseason. The front office also carries a new Swedish influence with advisor Mats Sundin and associate coach Daniel Alfredsson now in the fold.
Jarnkrok is back home with Brynas looking to recapture the form he believes he still has, while the Leafs turn the page with a revamped roster and a new coaching dynamic.
