Exploring the implications of Calle Jarnkrok’s return to the Maple Leafs’ lineup

Exploring the implications of Calle Jarnkrok’s return to the Maple Leafs’ lineup

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

Raptors select Canadian high school legend in 2023 mock draft

Raptors select Canadian high school legend in 2023 mock draft

The Toronto Raptors, as has been the case under Masai Ujiri, are likely coming away from their last two draft classes with tons of hope for the future. Using the No. 4 pick on Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes was accentuated by second-round finds in Dalano Banton and big man Christian Koloko. Ujiri and […]
Raptors select Canadian high school legend in 2023 mock draft – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ

Changes coming at The Leafs Nation*

Changes coming at The Leafs Nation*

* I felt the asterisk is needed in case you aren’t reading this late on Monday night and are in fact reading this after the changes have taken place. 
If there is one constant in life it’s change and likely that people will then complain about that change. I’m hoping we get a lot less of the latter as we are implementing our changes around TLN. If you are reading this Monday night, you might have noticed sites like Canucks Army and Flames Nation have switched over to a sleek new, updated format that is very 2022. It’s been a few years since we’ve had a redesign on the Nation Network team sites, and there are a few changes beyond just prettying us up a little.
Our site will hopefully be loading a lot faster for you now. Speed is what the Nation Network set out to achieve in the redesign and we should now be able to live that dream.
The other dream we are hoping to live is improved readability, both with a nicer font, but also with more thoughtful ad placement that doesn’t disrupt your reading experience as much. Unfortunately, ads are a part of life as the network needs to help me keep up my fur coat and diamond ring lifestyle that I’m used to.
Another change that is coming is we are pivoting our comment system over to Disqus, and …

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Author: Jon Steitzer / The Leafs Nation

PK Subban might find his best price as an in season free agent option

Let me start by saying this isn’t making a case for Subban coming to the Leafs. In fact other than this initial preamble I’m not sure there will be a ton a Leafs content in this article, we’ll have to see where this journey takes us.
From a Leafs perspective, Toronto is already set with seven NHL defensemen once Rasmus Sandin is signed, and Jordie Benn and Victor Mete seem to be very capable depth options to put on the Marlies. Making room for Subban would likely mean not only moving Justin Holl, but one other defenseman to have a spot for PK in the lineup. I’m not sure the Leafs wanted to do that.
Throw in the fact that Mark Giordano a two year $800k AAV deal that seems to set a ballpark for what the Leafs are willing to spend on veteran defense wanting to come back to play in their hometown. While I’m sure most people would easily put 2021-22 Giordano over Subban, it’s still a very reasonable thing for Subban to not be ready to take a sub $1M deal. He still has talents that can be marketed well above that range and he is likely trying to get his price.
That’s …

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Author: Jon Steitzer / The Leafs Nation

Top Kansas City Royals executive ‘disgusted’ with Whit Merrifield’s comments on vaccination status

In case anyone is wondering, nobody in the Kansas City Royals organization are mad. They don’t want you to write that they’re mad.

and another thing: im not mad. please dont put in the newspaper that i got mad.
— wint (@dril) December 29, 2014

We all know how big of a disaster these few days were. First it was the Royals being embarassed over having 10 players be unvaccinated, then the Jays got embarassed losing to a some dude named Angel Zerpa who was chucking a 4.36 ERA in the AA ranks.
Now, more wild things are going on in this ever-evolving story. Earlier this week, Royals 2B Whit Merrifield had this to say of his decision to be unvaccinated:
“What I’ve seen and experienced, not what I’ve seen on social media, what I’ve seen and experienced people that are vaccinated have got [COVID-19] in this club house. People that are vaccinated have spread it in this clubhouse, to their families and whatnot. People have gotten pretty sick that are vaccinated. This is my opinion on it all. It’s what I’ve come to, based on the experienced and conversations I’ve had, and what I’ve seen, this is the conclusion I’ve come to. Right or wrong, I didn’t do it on a whim. It’s been a long thought process. Because I understand what Canada has in place right now. That’s the only reason that I would think about getting it at this point, is to go to Canada. That might change down the road. Something happens and I happen to get on a team that has a chance to go play in Canada in the postseason, maybe that changes. But as we sit here right now, I’m comfortable in my decision, my teammates support me, support the rest of the guys in here who have made that decision, and that’s that.”
So, to summarize: just because he sees …

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Author: Zach Laing / Blue Jays Nation