In case you missed it in the chaos of yesterday’s Denis Malgin for Dryden Hunt blockbuster, Toronto Maple Leafs winger Calle Jarnkrok returned to practice on Monday morning.

Calle Jarnkrok returns to practice today for the Leafs. He takes the place of the traded Denis Malgin alongside John Tavares and Mitch Marner.
— Jonas Siegel (@jonassiegel) December 19, 2022

In 25 games prior to his injury, Jarnkrok provided five goals and four assists for nine points while averaging just over 13 minutes per night. With his return, what are the implications for the rest of the lineup?
It appears that Jarnkrok will slot back in on the left wing of Tavares and Marner on the second line for his return against Tampa on Tuesday night. This is a line that has been relatively successful thus far this season, carrying a 57.7% expected goal share despite only achieving an actual goal share of 50% through four games. Further, it seems that he will appear on the second power-play unit.
One might conclude that Jarnkrok’s return in combination with Denis Malgin’s limited effectiveness in his absence led directly to the trade this morning. If management now cannot see a spot in the lineup for Malgin, it follows that they might look to find him a new opportunity in the league. They have made such moves for similar …

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Author: Colin Hunter / The Leafs Nation