In fantastic news today, the Nashville Predators announced that Calle Jarnkrok has signed a six-year, $12 million contract. The Preds will pay him $1.7 million in 2016-17, $1.8 million in 2017-18, $2.1 million in 2018-19, $2.2 million in 2019-20 and 2020-21, and $2 million in 2021-22.
Six more years of this:
— On The Forecheck (@OnTheForecheck) July 27, 2016
Is David Poile an actual wizard? Can someone please ask him that the next time they see him. In that phrasing “Mr. Poile, are you a wizard?” Jarnkrok will turn 25-years-old in September so he is signed virtually through his prime years with an AAV of $2 million; wizardry I tell you.
The Swedish forward has played every forward position imaginable during his time in Nashville and is coming off of a 30 point season (16G, 14A) in 81 games. His hockey smarts have been well documented over the years and it’s tough to find something you don’t like about his game.
This is a cheap deal and a long deal and if there is one thing to take away from this it is that Jarnkrok wants to be a Predator.
Jarnkrok was set to have his arbitration meeting on August 4.
From the Predators:
Nashville, Tenn. (July 26, 2016) – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced Tuesday that the club has signed forward Calle Jarnkrok to a six-year, $12 million contract. The contract will pay him $1.7 million in 2016-17, $1.8 million in 2017-18, $2.1 million in 2018-19, $2.2 million in 2019-20 and 2020-21, and $2 million in 2021-22.
Jarnkrok, 24 (9/25/91), appeared in all but one of Nashville’s 2015-16 regular-season games, more than doubling his previous career high in goals (16), as well as setting personal bests in assists (14) and points (30). The Gavle, Sweden, native also ranked second on the Preds in game-winning goals (4) a season ago, and saw his year-over-year average ice time increase by 3:17. In 167 career NHL contests since joining the Predators via trade on March 5, 2014, Jarnkrok has amassed 57 points (25g-32a) and played in all 20 of the team’s postseason contests, recording three assists.
Detroit’s second choice, 51st overall (second round), in the 2010 Entry Draft, Jarnkrok has represented Sweden in five international competitions in the last eight 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-foot-1, 186-pound forward 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).
Nashville now has an estimated $7.918 million in cap space, per NHL Numbers.