Thirty-year-old checking center David Kämpf has two years left on his contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs, carrying a $2.4 million cap hit. However, he has not appeared with the team recently.
Sources close to the organization clarify that Kämpf's absence is unrelated to his performance or attitude; it is purely a matter of the salary cap. Although $2.4 million seems reasonable initially, the signing of Scott Laughton to an extension signaled that Kämpf might not fit into Toronto's long-term plans.
Rather than focusing on his fit with the Leafs, the discussion turns to teams that could be interested if Kämpf terminates his contract and becomes an unrestricted free agent—an option that appears more likely as Kämpf simply wants to continue playing.
Kämpf's journey is notable: undrafted, he established a solid role in Chicago during five seasons and contributed significantly to a historic moment in Czech hockey when his national team won gold at the 2024 World Championship.
"People around the organization that I’ve spoken with insist his absence has nothing to do with performance or attitude — only the cap situation."
"At first glance, $2.4 million seems reasonable, but when I saw Toronto sign Scott Laughton to an extension, it became clear that Kämpf likely wouldn’t be part of the team’s long-term plans."
"Kämpf simply wants to play."
Teams like the Boston Bruins could show interest if Kämpf decides to end his contract early, opening a new chapter in his professional career.
David Kämpf is considering terminating his contract with the Maple Leafs due to salary cap constraints and is seeking opportunities to keep playing in the NHL, possibly with the Bruins.