David Kämpf’s Frustration with Maple Leafs Situation
Toronto Maple Leafs forward David Kämpf is reportedly frustrated with his current situation, leading him to take a break from the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. This has created a challenging roster dilemma for both the team and the player.
Details on Kämpf’s Status
During the Saturday Headlines segment on Hockey Night in Canada, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported that Kämpf was not traveling with the Marlies on their road trip.
“Kämpf has taken a couple of days to kind of think about his future. Obviously, he's not playing with the Maple Leafs right now. He's in a bit of a roster and salary cap crunch situation, and he got a little bit frustrated.”
Contract and Roster Context
- Kämpf was placed on waivers before the season started and was assigned to the Marlies after none of the other 31 NHL clubs claimed him.
- He is in the third year of a four-year contract with a $2.4 million cap hit per season.
- Due to NHL rules, the Leafs are carrying $1.25 million of Kämpf’s salary on their cap, as only $1.15 million can be buried for the 2025-26 season.
Implications for Player and Team
This situation is far from ideal. The Maple Leafs likely hoped to trade Kämpf, while the player probably feels he still belongs in the NHL, just with another team.
Author’s summary: David Kämpf’s frustration stems from salary cap and roster constraints, leading him to step back from the Marlies as both parties face a difficult outlook.