The Writing on the Wall: Why David Kampf’s Days with the Toronto Maple Leafs Are Numbered

0 Sara Smith September 28, 2025

It’s the question every Toronto Maple Leafs fan is asking: what is happening with David Kampf? The offseason came and went with the veteran forward expecting a trade that never materialized. Now, as the NHL season kicks off, his position with the team looks more precarious than ever. With a $2.4 million cap hit, Kampf is in a tough spot. He’s a serviceable player, but that salary is just enough to make other teams hesitant to pull the trigger on a trade.

The Leafs, on the other hand, are facing a cap crunch and have younger, cheaper options ready to step up. The arrival of Scott Laughton, who has taken over the fourth-line center role, and the impressive performance of prospect Easton Cowan have pushed Kampf to the fringes of the roster. It’s a classic case of a player being squeezed out by the realities of the salary cap era. The question is no longer if a move will happen, but when and how. Will another team take a chance on him, or is a trip to the AHL in his future?

A Numbers Game: Analyzing Kampf’s Contract and the Leafs’ Options

The situation with David Kampf is a classic example of how quickly things can change in the NHL. Just a short time ago, he was a key part of the Maple Leafs’ penalty kill and a reliable defensive forward. However, the combination of his contract and the emergence of other players has put him in a vulnerable position. The Leafs are in a win-now mode, and every dollar of their salary cap space is precious. At $2.4 million, Kampf’s contract is not exorbitant, but it is “just large enough to be unattractive,” as insider Jonas Siegel aptly put it. This makes a trade difficult, as most teams are either tight against the cap themselves or unwilling to take on that salary for a fourth-line player.

The Inevitable Roster Crunch and the Rise of New Talent

The demotion of Kampf seems like the most likely scenario. If he is placed on waivers, it’s possible another team could claim him, but it’s a risk the Leafs may be willing to take. If he clears, he can be sent to the Toronto Marlies, which would provide the Leafs with some much-needed cap relief. This would also open up a roster spot for a player like Easton Cowan, who has earned a look with the big club.

Cowan represents the future, and his entry-level contract is far more palatable for a team with Stanley Cup aspirations. While it’s a tough situation for a veteran player like Kampf, it’s the nature of the business. The Leafs need to be ruthless in their pursuit of a championship, and that means making difficult decisions. As the season begins, all eyes will be on the final roster moves, and it seems increasingly likely that David Kampf will not be a part of the opening night lineup.