David Kämpf’s four-year run with the Toronto Maple Leafs ended quietly Friday afternoon when the veteran center cleared unconditional waivers and had his contract terminated.

Kämpf’s totals in Toronto were modest: 31 goals and 85 points in 301 games, plus a couple of big playoff goals in two wins over the Tampa Bay Lightning during a first-round series in 2022.

Still, Kämpf brought plenty of utility to a roster designed to chase a Stanley Cup. He was a low-maintenance player who killed penalties, won more than his share of faceoffs and consistently remained on the safe side of the puck. Neither team tended to get much done offensively during his minutes.

Those qualities are expected to draw interest from as many as a half dozen NHL teams now that Kämpf is officially an unrestricted free agent. Thanks to the contract termination, Kämpf is eligible to sign a prorated contract anywhere he chooses. He is expected to take the weekend to work through his options and identify the best opportunity, according to league sources.

Kämpf’s track record demonstrates that he can be a useful player under the right circumstances.

That explains why he earned a four-year extension from the Leafs, carrying a $2.4 million average annual value in June 2023 — a nice raise on the two-year contract with a $1.5 million AAV he initially signed in Toronto in July 2021.

However, that contract went from bonanza to burden for Kämpf once he lost his spot in Craig Berube’s everyday roster at the end of last season. Unable to offload his deal to another NHL team, the Leafs passed the 30-year-old through waivers at the end of training camp and assigned him to the AHL Marlies on Oct. 4. Kämpf played four games with the team before he grew frustrated with his situation, getting formally suspended by the Leafs on Nov. 2 after stepping away from the Marlies.

Relations remained positive between the player and organization while Kämpf mulled his future, according to league sources. The Leafs hoped he’d stick it out but couldn’t guarantee when — or even if — he’d be recalled to the NHL team. Kämpf inquired about the possibility of getting loaned to a team in Czechia, with the chance to secure a spot on his country’s 2026 Olympic roster a huge personal priority, but that option didn’t appeal to the Leafs because it would have removed the ability for them to recall him easily in a time of need.

Ultimately, they settled on terminating his contract to free themselves of his cap hit and facilitate a fresh start for Kämpf.

While it will likely take 24 hours for Kämpf’s full market to materialize, here’s a look at four potential options where he could land.

Montreal Canadiens

The Habs are in a unique position with their top four faceoff men this season all shooting right-handed: Nick Suzuki, Jake Evans, Kirby Dach and Oliver Kapanen.

Then you add in the fact that Alex Newhook, a left shot who is next up on that list, was knocked out of Thursday’s game with what appeared to be a significant injury, and Kämpf can at least bring an element Montreal needs more of.

His vast penalty-killing experience could also boost a unit that currently sits 17th in the NHL with a 79.3 percent kill rate.

The fit is obvious, and the interest is there.

Vancouver Canucks

Vancouver views Kämpf as someone who might shore up leaks in its lineup.

Way back in April, president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford told reporters that the Canucks had a giant hole up the middle. But they weren’t able to address the issue in the summertime, and now Filip Chytil and Teddy Blueger are hurt. The Canucks acquired Lukas Reichel from the Chicago Blackhawks last month, but he’s a natural winger being tasked with playing second-line center. He has one assist in 10 games and is minus-6.

It would make sense that coach Adam Foote wants Kämpf as the Canucks rank 32nd in the NHL on the penalty kill and 29th in the faceoff circle.

Minnesota Wild

The Wild had not yet called on Kämpf as of Friday morning, but they could very well show interest. Top-line center Marco Rossi is expected to be sidelined for at least a couple of weeks with a lower-body injury.

Rookie Danila Yurov, who has been playing the fourth line, was moved up in the lineup for Friday’s practice. Ben Jones, who has no points in 34 career NHL games, was playing the fourth line. Kämpf would be a significant upgrade for a team that always struggles in the faceoff circle and on the penalty kill. The Wild were 30th in the NHL the past two seasons on the penalty kill and rank 28th this season. They’re 25th in the faceoff circle.

Nico Sturm, who underwent back surgery at the end of training camp, is hoping to make his season debut after Dec. 1.

Pittsburgh Penguins

The main connection here is Penguins GM Kyle Dubas, who originally brought Kämpf to Toronto. Dubas signed him in free agency coming off a season where Kämpf scored only one goal with the Chicago Blackhawks and helped breathe new life into his career.

With Pittsburgh off to an unexpectedly strong start this season, would another trusted veteran make sense for the Penguins?

It’s a bit of a tricky calculation.

The organization has young forwards performing well in AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton — notably Tristan Broz and Sam Poulin — so signing Kämpf might further restrict their path to the NHL roster. That needs to be balanced against the stabilizing presence he can offer at the bottom of the team’s lineup since Pittsburgh has often found itself under water at even strength despite the number of wins it has managed to pile up.