Calle Jarnkrok reveals what it was like to play with Auston Matthews and Michael Bunting

Joining a new team may be exciting, but it's not often that it just comes easy. There are different systems to learn and different players with whom to build synergy and these things don't happen overnight. That is, unless your name is Calle Jarnkrok and you're playing with Auston Matthews and Michael Bunting.

Jarnkrok found himself the beneficiary of the opportunity to ride shotgun with 2/3 of the Leafs' usual top line (with Mitch Marner being the third, though is skating with Group 1 at camp, while Matthews and Bunting drew the Group 2 designation). How did Jarnkrok handle his preseason debut in a Leafs sweater? He scored. Twice.

After the game, Jarnkrok was made available to speak with the media and the 30-year-old forward wasn't about to accept the credit for his pair of snipes on Saturday - at least not without forwarding some of that credit onto his linemates.


The Leafs split their double-header against the Sens, coming out of the day with 1 win and 1 loss in the preseason. Their next matchup is against the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday. I'd imagine that some cuts will have taken place before then, so perhaps we'll see the two groups merge for that one, with some guys getting the night off and others playing their hearts out to try to make the 2nd cut, which will likely happen later in the week.

By the time all is said and done, I wouldn't be surprised if Jarnkrok wins the battle for a top-6 spot, alongside William Nylander and John Tavares. If the way he played in his first appearance as a Leaf is any indication, he could have some untapped offensive potential to offer the Buds. He's also an excellent forechecker and plays a defensively responsible game as well, all of which may compliment the Leafs' 2nd line well.