The Toronto Maple Leafs could look to clear some cap space, and David Kampf’s name has come up in trade talks.
Kampf was rumored to be a potential buyout candidate, but Toronto opted not to buy him out, but could still look to trade him. NHL analyst Mike Augello of HockeyHotStove named three teams as potential landing spots for Kampf.
“The contract has a modified no-trade clause of 10 teams for next season, but that drops off in the final year. The deal also has a signing bonus of $1.325 million each season, presumably payable on July 1 as most bonuses are paid,” Augello wrote. “If that is the case, any team trading for him would be on the hook for just $1.075 million in base salary in 2025-26. With the increasing salary cap and centers in short supply, finding a home for Kampf should not be difficult…
“Teams like Pittsburgh, San Jose, and Chicago seem to be operating with dreams of Gavin McKenna and getting over the cap floor,” Augello added. “The Penguins are a club that has seven expiring contracts after next season, which might make Kampf more attractive with two years left on his deal… So, it may be inevitable that Treliving moves Kampf out for a low-to-mid round pick.”
As Augello notes, trading to a team near the cap floor seems most likely. The Maple Leafs likely would get a sixth or seventh-round pick, but it would be more about trading Kampf and getting out of his deal.
Kampf has two years left on his four-year, $9.6 million deal with the Maple Leafs. He was a healthy scratch during the playoffs, which is why his name has come up in trade talks. He recorded 5 goals and 8 assists for 13 points in 59 games.
Rumors of Toronto trading Kampf is not a surprise, especially with the Maple Leafs’ offseason moves.
Toronto added Nic Roy and Dakota Joshua to take up bottom-six roles, meaning there is even less of a role for Kampf. Before free agency began, it was rumored that the Maple Leafs considered buying him out.
“Toronto may free up even more space if they move, or buy out, David Kampf and/or Calle Jarnkrok, which is under consideration, according to a team source,” NHL insider David Pagnotta wrote.
Kampf played in just 1 playoff game last season. So his role with the team has been diminished. With that, his name has come up in trade talks, but he’s still an effective fourth-line center and penalty killer in the NHL.
Kampf had been Toronto’s fourth-line center, but Roy could take over that role.
The Maple Leafs acquired Roy in a sign-and-trade with the Vegas Golden Knights for Mitch Marner. Roy could be the fourth-line center, and he’s someone Maple Leafs’ GM Brad Treliving is excited about.
“He’s a guy that can match up. One thing he probably doesn’t get enough credit for? There’s some sneaky skill with him; he’s got good hands,” Treliving said. “He can play in tight. Kills penalties. Gives you a right-shot option in the faceoff circle. Can play against good players, can play with good players. So, there’s versatility to the player. We think he can be a real important player for us.”
Roy recorded 15 goals and 16 assists for 31 points in 71 games.
Cole Shelton Cole Shelton covers the NHL and MLB for Heavy.com. He has covered pro and college sports since 2016, including bylines at BJ Penn, USA Today, SB Nation, Rotowire, Canadian Baseball Network and more. More about Cole Shelton
Stay Connected
Hockey News