When Craig Berube was hired there was a lot of attention on the Maple Leafs star players and how exactly Berube was going to get them over the hump. While most of the attention, and rightfully so, have been on the ‘core four’, veteran forward Calle Jarnkrok could wind up being one of Berube’s most trusted resources.

Jarnkrok enters the 2024-25 season coming off a 10-goal, 21-point season in 2023-24. He missed 30 games due to injury and will be looking to stay healthy next season. He hasn’t played more than 75 games in a season since the 2018-19 campaign.

While last year wasn’t the regular season Jarnkrok was looking for, the Stanley Cup Playoffs may have been worse. Secondary scoring, you ask? Jarnkrok didn’t chip in at all offensively. In seven games against the Boston Bruins, the 32-year-old forward didn’t record a point. He’ll be looking to be more reliable offensively in 2024-25.

Looking ahead, with Mitch Marner and William Nylander locked into the top-two right-wing slots, Jarnkrok will be penciled in on the Leafs’ third line. His center will be one of Max Domi, David Kampf, Pontus Holmberg, Connor Dewar or Fraser Minten. While Holmberg, Dewar or Minten could potentially slide over to left wing, there’s also Bobby McMann, Nick Robertson or Easton Cowan who could be lining up with Jarnkrok to start the year. The internal competition up front in Toronto should make for an entertaining preseason full of decisions.

Circling back to last season, Jarnkrok played most with Domi and Robertson and their chemistry was fun to watch. Their playing styles meshed well, having Jarnkrok active on the forecheck and in front of the net, meanwhile Domi was the facilitator and Robertson the shooter. It’s certainly a trio who could start next season together, it’s just all going to depend on Robertson’s future. The former second-round pick has reportedly asked for a trade and while so far it’s been quiet regarding the trade buzz, that could all change in a moment’s notice.

Besides Domi and Robertson, Jarnkrok moved up the lineup, as Sheldon Keefe trusted Jarnkrok a ton. So much so, he played with Marner and Auston Matthews on the team’s top line in 19 games. Time will tell on how Berube deploys his combos, but it’s quite likely based on Jarnkrok’s work ethic, he’ll be a trusted forward for his new coach, who can be leaned on at multiple positions throughout the Maple Leafs’ lineup.

Special teams will also come into the picture next season for the native of Gavle, Sweden. Jarnkrok played an average of 1:16 on the power play and 1:30 killing penalties per game last season. While his power-play time could potentially be cut back, expect to see Jarnkrok as a big part of the penalty kill. His ability to move his feet, have an active stick in passing lanes and outwork his opponents is something Berube will fall in love with. The Maple Leafs new bench boss made it very clear he doesn’t want to get outworked by the other team ever, and that’s going to be music to the ears of his third-line right winger.

Berube wants to push the Maple Leafs over the hump and he thinks effort level will certainly be a huge factor to success. When Berube and the St Louis Blues won the Stanley Cup in 2019, the intense head coach had Oskar Sundqvist, who was a depth forward he relied on to kill penalties and be hard to play against. Sundqvist played just under 14 minutes per game that championship season and while he’s not as physical, Jarnkrok will play this type of role in Toronto next season.

Nevertheless, Berube and Jarnkrok feel like a match made in heaven. Jarnkrok will be a lock for the third line to start the season and then once injuries creep into the picture, he could be an option to move up the lineup and fill in among the top six. Jarnkrok’s playing style is perfectly suited for Berube’s coaching style; next season could be a big year for the versatile forward.