Brad Treliving: Leafs Looking to ‘Cut Bait’ with $9.6 Million Forward
The Toronto Maple Leafs might be considering parting ways with veteran forward David Kampf, according to NHL insider and former player Nick Kypreos.
Although the first wave of NHL free agency is over, there are still more than two months left in the offseason, giving teams ample time to trade players or sign the remaining free agents. The Maple Leafs remain a subject of trade rumors, with Kypreos suggesting that Kampf is on the trading block.
“The bottom-six forwards need some attention as well. Is David Kämpf still in the plans to lead the Leafs’ checking line? There’s a good chance they cut bait there as well. Can he be replaced by prospect Fraser Minton or is it time to look for an NHL-ready player elsewhere?” Kypreos wrote in his Toronto Star article.
Kampf is entering the second year of the four-year, $9.6 million deal he signed on June 28, 2023. He’s set to earn $2.4 million annually for the next three years. Kypreos believes that Toronto should consider replacing him with a cheaper option.
Currently, Toronto is over the salary cap by $694,000, according to CapFriendly, making it necessary for the Maple Leafs to clear cap space. Kampf could be a prime candidate for a trade.
Another Insider Weighs In
NHL insider Chris Johnston also suggests that Kampf could be traded, along with two other players.
“They would look at moving Kampf, Jarnkrok, or Timothy Liljegren in the right deal. I should be very clear, that is not to say they are trying to get rid of them at all costs, but because of the Leafs’ salary cap, they are pretty tight up against it. Really, at this point of the offseason, their blueline looks different, and they’ve made moves in net. But, I think they will have to get creative to address any changes they want to make at forward,” Johnston said on The Chris Johnston Show on July 4.
Toronto has not made significant changes to their forward group and saw Tyler Bertuzzi leave in free agency, so trading someone might be necessary to make new moves.
Kampf’s Role with the Maple Leafs
Kampf serves as the Maple Leafs’ fourth-line center and is a key penalty killer for the team.
However, at $2.4 million per season, there are more affordable options for a fourth-line center, which is why Kampf is mentioned as a trade target. Despite being a critical defensive forward for Toronto, this past season was his worst in terms of faceoff percentage, recording just 50.9%.
Even though Kampf’s performance in faceoffs has declined, his defensive play and penalty-killing abilities remain important for Toronto.
Last season, Kampf recorded 8 goals and 11 assists for 19 points in 78 games with the Maple Leafs.
Kampf was undrafted in 2012 and signed his first NHL contract in 2017 with the Chicago Blackhawks after playing professionally in Europe. He spent four seasons with the Blackhawks before signing a two-year, $3 million contract with the Maple Leafs. At the conclusion of that deal, he signed the current four-year, $9.6 million contract.
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