The Toronto Maple Leafs have suspended forward David Kampf without pay after he left the Toronto Marlies, the team's AHL affiliate. The suspension, which took effect immediately, comes as Kampf faces uncertainty regarding his role within the organization due to salary cap constraints.
Kampf's departure from the Marlies suggests growing frustration with his situation. Despite being a capable NHL player, the 30-year-old veteran has yet to play an NHL game this season. After clearing waivers, he was assigned to the AHL and played four games for the Marlies, recording one assist and a -1 rating.
According to PuckPedia, the suspension provides the Maple Leafs with temporary cap relief by removing Kampf's $1.25 million buried cap charge while he is in the minors. The expectation is that the situation will be resolved shortly, with three potential outcomes: Kampf returning to the organization, a mutual contract termination, or a trade to another NHL team.
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reported on the "32 Thoughts" podcast that Kampf had given his Marlies teammates the impression he intended to terminate his contract. However, Friedman also noted that there has been "pushback" against a contract termination. Terminating his contract would mean Kampf forfeiting the remainder of his $1.075 million salary for the current season, along with a $1.325 million signing bonus and a $1.075 million base salary for the 2026-27 season.
While Kampf may not have secured a permanent roster spot over other Maple Leafs players, his current situation is primarily due to financial reasons. Toronto's limited cap space has made him the odd man out, leading to his frustration and potential desire to explore other options. Some view Kampf's reluctance to play in the AHL as a consequence of his contract effectively preventing him from playing in the NHL despite being a proven NHL center.
Trade Rumors As the Kampf situation unfolds, the Maple Leafs are also navigating the trade market as they look to add a scoring winger. However, reports indicate that the team has limited assets to trade, potentially making it difficult to acquire a significant upgrade without considering parting ways with top prospects. Names like Nazem Kadri and Pavel Zacha have been mentioned as potential trade targets, with the Flames reportedly open to offers for Kadri.
Recent transactions within the Maple Leafs organization also hint at potential trade activity. The assignment of Easton Cowan to the Toronto Marlies, along with the activation of Scott Laughton off injured reserve, has created a surplus of players on the roster. While Leafs' General Manager Brad Treliving is reportedly hesitant to give away players or assets, the team may need to make moves to address the roster imbalance. Ben Danford is another prospect who could be offered in trade discussions.
