Canadiens Eye David Kampf After Injury Creates Urgent Need at Center

The Montreal Canadiens weren’t expected to be major players in the David Kampf sweepstakes. Then Alex Newhook went down — and everything changed.

The injury, which looked troubling the moment it happened, instantly created a hole down the middle of Montreal’s lineup. With Newhook potentially set to miss some time, the Canadiens suddenly find themselves razor-thin at a position they’ve already been looking for help.

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Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis said on Friday when asked about Newhook’s status: “I didn’t see Alex this morning. For sure he’s going to miss some time. It’s not easy for a player who was having a good start to the season.”

According to Elliotte Friedman, Montreal is now one of the teams seriously considering a push for Kampf, who will officially become a free agent after terminating his contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Would Kampf Make Sense for the Canadiens?

Kampf gave up more than $3 million to get out of his deal — that’s how badly he is looking for a fresh start. Part of his motivation was simply wanting to play meaningful NHL minutes again. Friedman also noted one additional wrinkle: Kampf wants a chance to represent Czechia at the Olympics, and riding buses in the AHL was never going to help that cause.

All of this means he’ll accept a team-friendly deal on a team that is going to give him an opportunity to play.

Enter Montreal, a team that not only needs NHL-ready center depth but values responsible two-way play. Kampf fits that mold perfectly. He’s not a second-line solution, but he’s a strong penalty killer, wins faceoffs, and plays with structure — all traits that would help Martin St. Louis balance out a lineup suddenly missing significant pieces.

The Canadiens have the cap room. They have the opportunity. And now they have the need.

Montreal isn’t the only team in the mix — Vancouver and Pittsburgh are also hovering — but Newhook’s injury may push the Habs into a more aggressive stance than they originally anticipated. It all depends on price, term, and whether Kampf sees Montreal as the best path back to a full-time role.

Next: The Auston Matthews Problem the Maple Leafs Didn’t See Coming