David Kampf may have played his final game with the Toronto Maple Leafs organization.
The Maple Leafs signed Kampf to a four-year, $9.6 million deal, which is the richest contract he’s gotten in his career. However, as he entered the third year of the deal, he fell out of favor and was sent down to the AHL to begin the season.
Toronto had been looking to trade Kampf, but with no deal made, he has stepped away from the Toronto Marlies of the AHL. He’s now contemplating terminating his contract and walking away from the money.
With Kampf away from the team, Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube sent a clear message to Kampf.
“I didn’t see frustration in camp,” Berube said on Monday about Kampf. “He came in, and there was competition at camp. He had to fight for a spot. We have too many players, and we have to make decisions.
“His going down to the minors — he doesn’t feel like he wants to be down there, so that is his decision on what he does. That is not for me to answer. That is all for him and Brad (Treliving) to figure out. I don’t have a whole lot to say on that situation.”
Kampf is set to earn $2.4 million this season and next, but if he terminates his contract, he would leave that money on the table.
The 30-year-old recorded 5 goals and 8 assists for 13 points in 59 games last season with the Maple Leafs.
Insider: David Kampf is Thinking About His Future
With Kampf having no clear-cut path back to the NHL, he is pondering his future with the Maple Leafs.
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet said Kampf stepped away from the team to ponder his future.
“The Toronto Marlies are playing tonight in Chicago in the American Hockey League, and he’s not with them,” Friedman said on Saturday Headlines. “I was told there’s a possibility he could play tomorrow, but I think that’s unlikely.
“David Kampf has taken a couple of days to kind of think about his future. Obviously, he’s not playing with the Maple Leafs right now. He’s in a bit of a roster and salary cap crunch situation, and he got a little bit frustrated. I think everybody understands, he wants to play in the NHL and he’s an NHL player.”
Kampf wants to be in the NHL to hopefully earn a spot on the Czech Olympic team.
Kampf Uncertain if He Will Terminate Maple Leafs Contract
Although Kampf wants to be in the NHL, he isn’t sure if he will terminate his contract.
Some NHL players have walked away from millions to get back into the NHL. But, Friedman isn’t sure that Kampf will do it given he has another year after this one on his deal.
“One of the things that’s been rumoured in the last couple days is there’s been a couple players, Conor Sheary was one, Brandon Saad was one, Filip Zadina was one, who walked (and) terminated their contracts so they could get back to the NHL or get in better situations in the NHL.
“Now I’m not sure that’s going to happen. He is still owed about $4 million on his Toronto contract, but there’s no question that he’s taken some time this weekend to think about his future in the NHL, what he wants do, and we’ll see if the Maple Leafs can find a move this weekend for him, or to clear space, or what next week brings him. But he wants to play, and he’s just taking some time because he’s frustrated right now.”
Kampf has skated in 536 career NHL games.
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