Ironhook will return to Nashville on a very nice deal. Calle Jarnkrok, the 23-year-old sprite from Sweden, will resume his role on the team next year and continue to earn his ice time under coach Peter Laviolette. And man, Lavy loves this kid.
The deal: 1 year, $735,000. Not bad.
Here’s the release from HQ:
Nashville, Tenn. (July 17, 2015) – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced Friday that the club has signed forward Calle Jarnkrok to a one-year, $735,000 contract for the 2015-16 season.
Jarnkrok, 23 (9/25/91), has amassed 27 points (9g-18a) in 86 career NHL contests since making his debut with the Predators on March 21, 2014 vs. Calgary. During his first full NHL season in 2014-15, the Gavle, Sweden native suited up for 74 regular-season games (7g-11a-18pts) and all six playoff games (2a), recording assists in each of his first two career Stanley Cup Playoff games. In his first two months upon being acquired from Detroit on March 5, 2014, Jarnkrok posted nine points (2g-7a) in his first 12 NHL games, including five points (1g-4a) in the first five contests of his NHL career, the second-longest point streak by a Predators player in the first games of their NHL career (Marek Zidlicky, six games, Oct. 9-23, 2003).
Detroit’s second choice, 51st overall (second round), in the 2010 Entry Draft, Jarnkrok has represented Sweden in five international competitions in the last seven years, winning a gold medal at the 2013 World Championship and earning a bronze at the 2014 World Championship. Prior to making the jump to North America for the 2012-13 season, the 6-1, 176-pound center/right wing helped Brynas win the 2012 Le Mat Trophy as Swedish league champions on a team that also included Predators defenseman Mattias Ekholm, and was a finalist for the 2011 Swedish league rookie of the year (won by Ekholm).
Let’s enjoy this. We need something to enjoy unabashedly.
Thoughts? It’s a good price on a good young player.