Let’s make one thing clear — the Nashville Predators are no longer clear sellers heading into the trade deadline on April 12. After going 4-3-1 on what was supposed to be a brutal stretch, and following that up with a shutout win on Tuesday night, it has the organization thinking differently than we all did weeks and maybe even days ago.
But one especially tough decision David Poile will have to make is on Calle Jarnkrok. The veteran forward recorded four goals and three assists in the final four games of the aforementioned road trip, including the game-winning shootout goal in Dallas on Sunday night.
That is easily the most impressive stretch that the veteran forward has had throughout his career, who has become a more coveted asset throughout the past two years.
His recent play has been admirable, but is he worth hanging onto long term?
Opportunity to sell high for the Nashville Predators
It goes without saying that at no point in his career has Jarnkrok’s value been higher than it is now.
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Not only that, but any team would be more than willing to take on his contract, which has this and next year left at $2M per year.
At age 29, Jarnkrok is still in his prime and would be the perfect player for a team to use for an all-in push for the remainder of his contract.
Teams will be willing to pay a nice haul for him, but it is worth noting that this draft class is expected to be weak in comparison to others. And even then, Jarnkrok has been a bottom-six forward whose best performances who have been in relatively short spurts, so some teams may not view him as a super highly valued commodity.
You know what you have in Jarnkrok
Jarnkrok will be 31-years-old when he begins the 2022-2023 season, which will be when he begins his next contract. His best days will be likely behind him at that point, but there is no reason to expect a steep decline from him.
Jarnkrok has been a consistent player who has provided a nice shot and steady production ever since his third year in the league. He is unlikely to ever record more than 40 points in an 82-game season, if he ever reaches 40, but his style of play should deliver similar results in every year of his career.
Additionally, it is highly doubtful that he will ever cost his team more than $5M per year, and he certainly will not be signed to an eight-year deal as many star players usually are.
Jarnkrok will always be a safe investment who will provide valuable contributions for the second and third lines. Depth can separate the good teams from the great teams, and he will always be a meaningful player in that regard.
Depends on the circumstances
There really is no clear-cut answer to whether or not Jarnkrok should be traded. All of it is going to depend on how the Predators are doing at the deadline, and what the team will be able to get in return for him.
If a team is willing to overpay for him, I say take the offer, because at no other time do I foresee anyone offering a big package for him.
If he is willing to re-sign for cheap, I say keep him and extend him, because he will be well worth the cost and a huge piece for the middle six.
One thing Poile absolutely must not do with Jarnkrok is lose him for nothing. And also, please do not keep him for the sole purpose of making a deep playoff run this year.
At the end of the day, this core is done until proven otherwise, and the future needs to be the main priority despite the recent stretch of success. If a decision is made to trade or re-sign Jarnkrok with the future in mind — even if it is not a truly ideal move — I can at least live with it.