Leafs Suspend Kampf Without Pay

The news surrounding center David Kampf has reached a point where numerous reporters are indicating that he and the Toronto Maple Leafs are headed for a conclusion to an ordeal that has been going on since the end of last season. After playing all but four regular-season games in his first three years in Toronto during the Sheldon Keefe administration, the 30-year-old played just 59 games last season and once in the playoffs under new head coach Craig Berube. 

Kampf was entering year three of a four-year, $9.6 million contract with the Leafs, but with the acquisition of Scott Laughton at the trade deadline and Nicolas Roy over the summer, his NHL role appeared to be going from relegated to non-existent. There had been talk that the Leafs were looking to move the veteran in the offseason, but his $2.4 million AAV, another year of term, and the Leafs likely resistance to retaining salary in a deal made GM Brad Treliving’s task that much more difficult.

The possibility of a buyout was ruled out because a signing bonus of more than 50% of his salary for the remaining term gave Toronto little cap relief and spread the cap hit over the next four seasons. 

In terms of cap management, the most relief would be for Toronto to bury Kampf in the AHL, which they did before the season, clearing $1.15 million off their NHL budget.  Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman indicated last Saturday Headlines, and on Monday’s 32 Thoughts podcast that Kampf sat out both weekend games for the AHL Marlies to contemplate his hockey future. Friedman indicated that players with the Marlies were under the impression, based on what Kampf told them, that he was going to terminate his contract.   

On Thursday, Puckpedia said league sources had indicated that Kampf had been suspended by the Leafs without pay for leaving their AHL club and, therefore, are not currently incurring the remaining $1.25 million cap hit for him while in the minors.  Frank Seravalli also reported that a resolution to the situation is expected soon. The contract termination would allow Kampf to find an NHL home (likely on a one-year prorated deal) or to go to Europe. 

Returning to the Marlies in anticipation of a trade seems to be long shot, as the chances of finding a home for him would seem less likely for Treliving with trade request in the mix. Toronto would have to potentially have to take a contract back in a deal, as they did in the Ryan Reaves for Henry Thrun deal, but in this instance it would potentially be a deal with term remaining. That is something they are unlikely to want to do.