There were several high-profile players for the Nashville Predators that had lackluster seasons last year. For Calle Jarnkrok, it was business as usual.
The struggles that the Nashville Predators experienced last season have been well documented. High-profile and high-paid players such as Ryan Johansen and Matt Duchene didn’t live up to expectations.
A player that hasn’t been talked about much during this offseason, Calle Jarnkrok, came close to having a career-best season. Had we experienced a full slate of games last season, he more than likely would have.
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Origin Story
Jarnkrok was chosen 51st-overall in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft by the Detroit Red Wings, but didn’t play any NHL games for them.
A trade with Detroit involving David Legwand brought Jarnkrok to Nashville. He played in 12 games for the Predators during the 2013-14 season, and scored his first goal in March of 2014.
Time really does fly to think that Jarnkrok has been in Nashville this long.
Since the 2015-16 season, Jarnkrok has scored 30-plus points each season except the 2018-19 season in which he scored 26 points.
During the 2017-18 season, his best to date, Jarnkrok scored 35 points (16 goals, 19 assists).
Is a breakout season coming?
As previously stated, Jarnkrok was on his way to a career year before the NHL paused the season. With 13 games left to be played, it’s not beyond the realm of possibility that he would’ve added to his scoring output.
While Jarnkrok has never posted a 20-goal season, the potential is there, and he flirted with it last season. His Corsi rating for the season was almost 52% as well, proving that he is a valuable asset to the depth of the Predators.
Jarnkrok spent time all over the lineup last season, which showcases his versatility and ability to mesh well with his teammates. As we all know, the Predators’ offensive lines were all over the place and never found chemistry.
Next season, consistency will be a significant factor for Jarnkrok and the rest of the team if they are to have any chance of making the playoffs.
I slotted Jarnkrok on the fourth line with Colton Sissons and Brad Richardson. A lineup like this should provide some firepower to a line that hasn’t had much in recent years.
Sissons and Jarnkrok have been teammates for several years. Sissons will be looking to rebound after an uninspired last season. With the veteran Richardson at the center, this line could have lots of potential.
There were lots of issues with the Predators last season, and while it’s a team game, Jarnkrok held his own. There’s always room for improvement, but overall Jarnkrok’s season was consistent with his past seasons.
Is it fair to expect more from Jarnkrok? Sure, but we kind of know what his role is with the team now, which is be a solid role player in the bottom-six.
There will be many changes to the Predators’ style of play as they strive to become a more defensive-minded team. Hopefully, a full season with Head Coach John Hynes will help Jarnkrok reach his potential.
Jarnkrok signed a six-year, $12M contract with the Predators in 2016. He has two more years before becoming a free agent. Now is his time to shine and help a rebuilding Predators team make a splash in the western conference.