Maple Leafs Finally Make a Contract Decision with David Kampf

As per TSN’s Darren Dreger, “Expect David Kampf to be placed on waivers today for the purpose of termination of contract. So, if he clears waivers tomorrow, he can sign with another NHL club.” This is an unconditional waiver situation, and Kampf is set to forgo about $3.4 million in earnings so that he can find a new place to play.

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This will bring an end to the dramatic storyline of Kampf being sent to the minors by the Toronto Maple Leafs, only to refuse to play with the Toronto Marlies of the AHL after a few games. He didn’t report, which led to his being suspended without pay. He was looking to terminate his contract, but the Maple Leafs were fighting against the idea, even arguing that the player owed some of his signing bonus back to the team if they let him out of his deal early.

On paper, it’s a “pain-free” resolution for Toronto. Shedding the deal helps fix a bottom-six cap mistake that never should’ve happened. But the real takeaway isn’t Kampf leaving — it’s why the Leafs were in this position in the first place. This team entered the season with thin centre depth, no Scott Laughton, and cap space to work with… and still managed to reach a point where a reliable penalty killer and serviceable defensive centre became disposable.

Kampf is mostly the same player he was when he earned his first Leafs deal, and he was a key part of a strong checking line under Sheldon Keefe. Now he’s being pushed toward termination — a move that could cost him more than millions in future earnings if the best he can get is a deal for around $1 million with another NHL club.

He’ll draw interest elsewhere. The bigger question is what he might be looking for and where he’ll wind up. Does he sign for more than one season or is he looking at going to the place that best gives him a chance to play and show that he’s still a useful NHL player?

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