The Toronto Maple Leafs have been linked to parting ways with veteran forward David Kampf, and he expects to be moved.
Kampf’s name has come up in trade rumors this offseason, but he wasn’t moved. Yet, as the regular season looms, his name has continued to be involved in trade talks.
Kampf is battling for a roster spot, and he admits he thought he would be traded this offseason. So, he isn’t sure what his future holds with the Maple Leafs team.
“I was thinking about (a trade) for sure,” Kampf said to The Athletic. “I was ready for whatever could come, but nothing happened, so I’m here and I’m ready to show my best… It’s up to management if I fit this team or not. I will bring my best and we’ll see if it’s enough or not.”
Kampf has lost his role with the team, as Toronto added the likes of Scott Laughton and Nic Roy to be bottom-six centers. The hope is he will earn a full-time roster spot with the Maple Leafs, or that he will be moved.
“I think I can still bring something to the team,” Kampf said. “For sure, I want to play. If I will not be playing, we’ll see what (else) we can do.”
Kampf has two years left on his four-year, $9.6 million deal.
Maple Leafs Have Been Shopping Kampf
Toronto has been looking to trade Kampf, among other forwards, as the season looms.
Kampf didn’t have a role last season, and his name came up in trade rumors. NHL insider David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period wrote that the Maple Leafs are looking to trade Kampf and Calle Jarnkrok.
“Also on the Leafs, forwards David Kampf and Calle Jarnkrok remain available for trade,” Pagnotta reported.
Kampf was a scratch down the stretch as he skated in just 1 playoff game for Toronto. In the season, he skated in 59 games, recording 5 goals and 8 assists for 13 points.
Toronto Coach Likes Offseason Moves
Part of the reason why the Maple Leafs could look to trade Kampf is due to the fact that Toronto added more depth forwards.
The Maple Leafs added the likes of Roy, Dakota Joshua, Mattias Maccelli, and Michael Pezzetta to add more depth to the bottom of the lineup. Although Toronto lost Mitch Marner this offseason, coach Craig Berube likes the moves general manager Brad Treliving made.
“We lost a player, a real good player here, but we added three new players to our lineup, and I’m excited about that,” Berube said. “I know Tre talked about DNA last year, and I thought he did a hell of a job changing that over the summer, adding these players. So I’m excited to see where they fit in and how they look. It’s a change, we all know that. Losing Mitch and bringing in three new players, it’s a change, for sure. What excites me is I don’t have to hear ‘Core Four’ anymore.”
Berube believes the Maple Leafs will be a harder team to play against, which he’s excited about.
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