Calle Jarnkrok's stint with the Calgary Flames was brief yet impactful, as he joined the team during the 2022 NHL Trade Deadline from the Seattle Kraken. His contributions helped the Flames advance to the second round of the playoffs, where they ultimately fell to the Edmonton Oilers. Following that season, Jarnkrok transitioned to the Toronto Maple Leafs, where he played until the current offseason.
After failing to secure a new contract in the NHL, Jarnkrok has decided to return to Europe, signing with Brynäs IF in the Swedish Hockey League. This move marks a significant shift in his career, as he looks to reignite his performance overseas.
Upon his return to Europe, Jarnkrok took the opportunity to express his discontent with Craig Berube, who was his coach during his time with the Maple Leafs. Berube, who was appointed by Toronto in 2024 following the dismissal of Sheldon Keefe, has been criticized by Jarnkrok for not effectively utilizing his skills.
“Two years ago, I couldn’t play at all. But last year, I came in and felt in really good shape. I scored goals… and then he (Craig Berube) put me in the stands. It was a little weird. At that moment, I was very surprised… I did well but wasn’t allowed to play. It was tough to motivate myself and keep going,” Jarnkrok stated in a recent interview.
Despite the challenges he faced under Berube's coaching, Jarnkrok reflected positively on his overall experience in Toronto, a city known for its passionate hockey culture. He mentioned, “But it was a lot of fun playing in Toronto, even though the last year wasn’t that fun. The whole city loves hockey.”
During his first season with the Maple Leafs, Jarnkrok had a notable performance, scoring 20 goals in just 23 games and contributing during the playoffs with one goal and two assists in 11 games. However, his overall statistics over the past two seasons paint a different picture, with only seven goals and eight assists across 75 games.
Before his time with the Flames and Maple Leafs, Jarnkrok began his NHL career with the Nashville Predators. He was selected by the Seattle Kraken during the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft, and later traded to Calgary, where he recorded four assists in 17 regular-season games and added a goal and three assists in 12 playoff appearances.
With 774 career NHL games under his belt, Jarnkrok has accumulated 143 goals and 173 assists. As he embarks on this new chapter with Brynäs IF, he aims to leverage his experience and skills to make a significant impact in the Swedish Hockey League.
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