LEAFS NOTES: Jarnkrok's return could set playoff right wing lineup

Article content

Calle Jarnkrok had been waiting a long time for his NHL odometer turning to 700 regular season games. 

Now, after five months away, he hopes to be part of the Maple Leafs’ playoff drive. With the NHL trade deadline four days away and chances not great to pry away a big-name forward elsewhere, it could be Monday’s mix of Mitch Marner, William Nylander, Nick Robertson and Jarnkrok will be the right wing set for the start of playoffs.  

“Took a while to get going, timing was a little off, but I got better as the game went on,” said Jarnkrok, who underwent sports hernia surgery. “It’s usually one game and you’re back in it, but you just have to get that first one out of the way. Nice to be back.” 

Jankrok played just about everywhere under previous coach Sheldon Keefe, including with the top line and as centre. His new coach, Craig Berube, could move Max Domi or someone else out of the middle. 

“I’m always ready for (changes such as) that,” Jarnkrok assured. 

A month ago, the vexed Robertson was stuck on eight goals and Jarnkrok was just getting into serious practices. A trade for depth or internal shuffle seemed inevitable. 

But the Leafs had won eight of their past nine before Monday’s 3-2 shootout loss to San Jose, with third-line success in goals, Domi centring Robertson and big winger Bobby McMann. Now Jarnkrok has returned and if there’s no good deal to be had by Friday, general manager Brad Treliving could use the deadline axiom that getting an injured player back in March can be as good as a trade.    

Jarnkrok was in the starting five against the Sharks, played eight-plus minutes with a little penalty kill, entrusted in the last minute of regulation where he almost won it. Despite a night of solid forechecking, the line was burned on Tyler Toffoli’s tying goal in the third period. But teammate John Tavares saw much of the old Jarnkrok. 

“We’re all really excited for him. It’s been a difficult year, you come to camp all excited and have to go through the process he did. He’s a big part of our team, plays a really valuable role, an unsung hero type. He’s very noticeable, the things he does.”  

Treliving has been known as a busy body by his peers, keen to get an ear in on any big deal going around the circuit. But in his final pre-deadline chat with local media, he indicated no interest to enter a shrinking, inflated market with Toronto already minus its first round pick this year and trying to hold top prospects Easton Cowan and Fraser Minten. 

The March market had come in like a lion, the first of the month seeing the Florida Panthers acquire defenceman Seth Jones from Chicago. The Cats will also need to look at options without injured Matthew Tkachuk until at least playoff time.

Minnesot picked up forward Gustav Nyquist from the fading Predators for a second-round pick next year, Colorado also girded for playoffs in the West, bringing in forward Jimmy Vesey and defencemen Ryan Lindgren and Hank Kempf from the Rangers for blueliner Calvin de Haan, forward Juuso Parssinen and conditional second and fourth-round picks. The Rangers have also held veteran right winger Reilly Smith out of the past couple of games and while Pittsburgh will likely move bodies, none are named Crosby, Malkin or Letang

Things have been quiet since the weekend — almost too quiet. Anaheim goalie John Gibson is seen as an insurance piece for a contender, while talk of centre Brayden Schenn coming to the Leafs from St. Louis to rejoin his 2019 Cup coach Berube, or going anywhere else, has been muted as the Blues have won four of their past five with three games before the deadline. Scott Laughton’s long discussed exit from Philadelphia might also be pre-empted after the Flyers got on a mini-streak.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.

Play Video

MACK UNDER ATTACK 

Macklin Celebrini is trying to adapt to a difficult situation, a top-notch rookie on the NHL’s bottom team. 

This might be the worst stretch of the season for the top pick in the 2024 draft, on a long Eastern road trip that’s been part of an eight-game winless streak before Monday. San Jose must endure watching most of the league either in the playoffs or in the hunt. 

“No one likes losing and we’re obviously in a tough spot right now,” the 18-year-old centre said before his team ralled from 2-0 to shock the Leafs in the shootout. “We’re trying to stay positive. There are different goals as a team we are pushing for. We’re building for the future and never accepting the losing.” 

The B.C. native had 12 points the past 14 games and is battling Philadelphia’s Matvei Michkov and Montreal defenceman Lane Hutson atop the rookie leaderboard, all within a couple of points for Calder Trophy contention with Celebrini playing 10 fewer games than both. 

“I think he’s handled everything really well,” coach Ryan Warsofsky said. “Everything thrown at him, from player (match-ups) to media, the schedule, the grind (he was a game-time decision with a slight injury) and our situation. He’s a mature kid so I don’t think any moment is (too) big for him.” 

Warsofsky, in his first NHL head coaching post, is trying to help not only Celebrini, but Will Smith and a number of youngsters. 

“We have a lot to play for individually and as a group. The last two years, we were embarrassed, it wasn’t good enough. We know what our record is at, but we have to approach it like we’re in playoff mode.” 

Warsofsky said Celebrini needed only look across the ice to Leafs such as Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander, first round picks with great careers who are still paying their dues to win a title. 

“You have to go through some failure, some adversity. I look back at Mack and Will in their situation and think it’s not going to happen overnight. That’s the evolution of being a superstar.” 

TIME FOR TIM 

Ex-Leaf defenceman Timothy Liljegren made his first appearance at Scotiabank Arena since the October trade to the Sharks for blueliner Matt Benning, who has remained with the farm team Marlies, and a couple of draft picks. 

“He’s a guy that can move pucks and can help on our power play (getting a goal Saturday in Ottawa),” Warsofsky said. “He’s playing some of his best hockey right now. He had a good start with us, averaged out his game a bit, now he’s trying to find it. 

“He’s still a younger guy (turning 26 next month) trying to figure out what his identity is and do it more consistently, which you guys in Toronto have probably seen. Our situation is a lot different than the Leafs. He’s got a chance to really establish himself as a top four guy who can play meaningful minutes.” 

Liljegren got the team’s hardest worker construction vest after the game, while Courtice’s Jack Thompson was given the ceremonial Sharks’ football helmet.

MARLIES GET A REST 

After managing just six goals in five games, four of them losses, the Marlies have a few days off. They emerged with a 2-1 shootout victory over the Manitoba Moose on Saturday, with Ryan Tverberg scoring in regulation, then Nick Abruzzese and Logan Shaw in the shootout. The farm team has an AHL-high six shootout losses this season.  

Clearly the club misses league-leading scorer Alex Steeves, who was sent back Monday with Jarnkrok’s return.  

“We didn’t score too many goals, but just to get the two points was refreshing,” Marlies coach John Gruden said as his team stays in a battle for third place in its division.  

Dennis Hildeby made 30 stops to bring his save percentage up to .900. He could be a trade chip for Treliving later this week. 

Lhornby@postmedia.com 

X: @sunhornby