Why Haven't the Toronto Maple Leafs Traded David Kampf?

What if I told you that David Kampf is the fifth highest paid forward on the Toronto Maple Leafs right now?

I know that the Toronto Maple Leafs only have 10 forwards signed for the 2024-25 season right now, but there are somehow only four forwards making more money than David Kampf. Things get worse as Kampf is currently signed at $2.4M AAV until the summer of 2027.

This article is not meant to dump on Kampf.

He's an effective fourth-line player, who has been a solid peantly-killer and someone who has scored double-digit goals, but we're talking about a salary-cap strapped Leafs team that should be focused on "studs and duds" types of contracts. If you're going to have $40M-plus dedicated to four forwards, you can't have your 4C making $2.4M AAV, especially not for the next three seasons.

In-house, the Leafs have Easton Cowan, Fraser Minten and most importantly Pontus Holmberg, who can effectively do Kampf's job for one-third of the price. At $800K, Holmberg can play 10 minutes per night, help out on the penalty kill and chip-in offensively when neccesary. If someone gets injured, he can also jump up in the line-up and play in different situations, but the most important part about him, is that he's cheap.

Why Haven't the Toronto Maple Leafs Traded David Kampf?

If you're going to win a Stanley Cup and utlize the salary-cap to your advantage, you can't afford to hae more than $3M dedicated to your entire fourth-line, let alone, $2.4M dedicated to one player.

So with that being said, would the best solution be to promote Kampf and keep him as your 3C? No, because Kampf has no offensive game and so he's innefective as a third line centre.

Kampf is essentially the highest paid fourth liner in the NHL, and therefore it an absolute necessity that the Leafs shed his contract.

In order for this team to be successful, they need to cut the fat with Kampf on the fourth-line, and while they're at it, they may as well cut Calle Jankrok too. By trading Kampf and Jarnkrok's contract, you can save close to $5M and all of a sudden have a legitimate top-six winger or true 3C who can improve this team and provide that secondary scoring that they're missing.

It's probably not going to happen because who wants to take on three years of Kampf at $2.4M but he should be the Leafs first priority on the trade market this summer.