Leafs Struggling to Offload $8.4M Winger Calle Järnkrok Amid Cap Crunch
Moving Calle Järnkrok and his $8.4 million contract has emerged as a key focus for the Toronto Maple Leafs as they try to navigate a tight salary cap and a logjam at the bottom of the roster.
Despite being quietly on the trade block for much of the offseason, there’s been little public interest in the 33-year-old forward. With July winding down and training camp fast approaching, GM Brad Treliving may be running out of options—and time—to create financial flexibility through a deal.
Järnkrok’s Trade Limbo Persists
Since arriving in Toronto in 2022, Järnkrok has tallied just 67 points over three seasons. He did post a career-best 20 goals in his first year with the club, but his offensive inconsistency has made him a tough sell in trade discussions.
While his defensive reliability and penalty-killing abilities still offer value, they haven’t been enough to spark a serious market. As reported on The Fourth Period‘s July 22 episode, the Leafs remain committed to shopping him:
“The market hasn’t been vibrant to this point, but the Leafs will continue to dangle him.”
Unless the team is willing to retain a portion of Järnkrok’s salary to bring his cap hit closer to $1 million, they may struggle to draw meaningful interest. A package deal or salary retention could be the only way forward.
For now, Järnkrok remains in limbo, actively shopped but with no clear landing spot. Until something changes, Toronto’s cap constraints—and its ability to maneuver in the market—remain unresolved.
Leave a Reply