Calle Jarnkrok’s run with the Toronto Maple Leafs is officially over, and the veteran winger didn’t hide how uneven his final stretch in the NHL felt.
On Monday, Brynas of the SHL announced a three-year contract for Jarnkrok, bringing an end to his 13-year NHL career. He spent his last four seasons with Toronto, appearing in 200 regular-season games for the Maple Leafs from 2022-23 through 2025-26.
The last two seasons, though, were the toughest part of the ride. Jarnkrok played only 75 games across those two years. He finished this past season with six goals and eight points in 56 games, and the year before that was cut short by a groin and sports hernia injury.
“I've had two tough years, and it feels a bit sad not to be able to finish over there the way I wanted,” Jarnkrok told hockeysverige.se in Swedish. “That's maybe why the decision took a little longer. But now it feels good to have made up my mind.”
He also spoke bluntly about how things played out under Craig Berube last season, especially after a strong start that didn’t lead to steady ice time.
“Two years ago I couldn't play at all,” Jarnkrok recalled. “But last year I came in and felt in really good shape, I scored goals...and then (Berube) put me in the stands. It was a little weird.”
That stretch began with real momentum. Jarnkrok scored in each of Toronto’s first three games of the 2025-26 season, putting him second on the team in scoring at that point while averaging 10:31 of ice time. The production didn’t last, and after two more games without extending the streak, he was scratched for the sixth game of the regular season.
He went in and out of the lineup after that, but still managed to play in 18 of Toronto’s first 25 games of the season.
Jarnkrok said he was surprised by the way his role changed after that opening run.
“I was very surprised,” he said. “I understand that if I don't get to play when I score in every game like I did in the beginning...then it will be tough.
It's the GM and the coach who decide, but it was an uphill battle. I did well but wasn't allowed to play.
It was tough to motivate myself and keep going.
“It was a lot of fun playing in Toronto, even though the last year wasn't that fun. The whole city loves hockey, just like here in Gavle, and there's pressure with that. I think everyone who plays wants it that way,” he added.
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