David Kampf Steps Away From Team To Consider Future With Maple Leafs
.jpg "Toronto Maple Leafs forward David Kampf skates before 2025 game.")
The veteran center was waived before the season because of a roster and salary cap crunch, landed with the Marlies, and now he is stepping back to figure out what comes next.
David Kampf wants to play in the NHL. That is not in doubt.
The question is whether that can still happen in Toronto, or if the answer is a fresh start somewhere else.
David Kampf is reportedly away from the Marlies as he contemplates his future in Toronto
— TheLeafsNation (@TLNdc) November 2, 2025
Read More Here 📰 | https://t.co/ZRLgIpoxQq pic.twitter.com/AgWhBxk0cS
Why Kampf is pausing, and what the options look like
From the team side, the Leafs have been exploring a trade since the summer.
The market has been lukewarm, mostly because clubs need cap room and term matters. Kampf carries a $2.4 million cap hit through 2026-27, and there is still over $4 million in real dollars owed.
A mutual contract termination has been floated because it would let him sign immediately with another NHL team, but that means walking away from guaranteed money. That is a massive personal decision, which is why he is taking time instead of rushing into anything.
🚨🎙️ @FriedgeHNIC on David Kampf / 32T:
— Leafslatest (@Leafslatest) November 3, 2025
“I don’t know exactly what was said or how it was communicated, but Kampf did leave players with the Marlies with the impression that he was going to terminate his contract..”
He’s not out of the Leafs lineup because he’s not good enough,… pic.twitter.com/iAgdb2szYR
On ice, the player is not the problem. Kampf has been a reliable matchup center, wins draws, kills penalties, and was trusted in heavy defensive usage when the Leafs leaned on him a couple of seasons ago. The fit changed as Toronto added depth and Craig Berube’s lineup got crowded.
If there is a deal to be made, it likely looks like a low pick or a modest contract coming back so both sides can move on cleanly.
What this means for Toronto right now
Either the Leafs find him a new home or they open the lanes for him to come back up if things loosen. Until then, the cap gymnastics continue, and the Marlies sit in the middle.
Kampf taking time is smart. He has earned the right to choose the situation that keeps him in the NHL and sets him up to do what he does best. If a trade materializes, great. If not, a termination is on the table, but only if the landing spot makes the financial hit worth it.
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
