David K\u00e4mpf\u2019s four-year run with the Toronto Maple Leafs ended quietly Friday afternoon when the veteran center cleared unconditional waivers and had his contract terminated.<\/p>\n
K\u00e4mpf\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Still, K\u00e4mpf 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.<\/p>\n
Those qualities are expected to draw interest from as many as a half dozen NHL teams now that K\u00e4mpf is officially an unrestricted free agent. Thanks to the contract termination, K\u00e4mpf 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.<\/p>\n
K\u00e4mpf\u2019s track record demonstrates that he can be a useful player under the right circumstances.<\/p>\n
That explains why he earned a four-year extension from the Leafs, carrying a $2.4 million average annual value in June 2023 \u2014 a nice raise on the two-year contract with a $1.5 million AAV he initially signed in Toronto in July 2021.<\/p>\n
However, that contract went from bonanza to burden for K\u00e4mpf once he lost his spot in Craig Berube\u2019s 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. K\u00e4mpf 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.<\/p>\n
Relations remained positive between the player and organization while K\u00e4mpf mulled his future, according to league sources. The Leafs hoped he\u2019d stick it out but couldn\u2019t guarantee when \u2014 or even if \u2014 he\u2019d be recalled to the NHL team. K\u00e4mpf inquired about the possibility of getting loaned to a team in Czechia, with the chance to secure a spot on his country\u2019s 2026 Olympic roster a huge personal priority, but that option didn\u2019t appeal to the Leafs because it would have removed the ability for them to recall him easily in a time of need.<\/p>\n
Ultimately, they settled on terminating his contract to free themselves of his cap hit and facilitate a fresh start for K\u00e4mpf.<\/p>\n
While it will likely take 24 hours for K\u00e4mpf\u2019s full market to materialize, here\u2019s a look at four potential options where he could land.<\/p>\n
Montreal Canadiens<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n