Maple Leafs $9.6M Forward Likely Headed to Waivers This Season

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The Toronto Maple Leafs could place a $9.6 million forward on waivers before the end of training camp unless a trade happens.

As the Toronto Maple Leafs head into training camp this upcoming season, questions emerge regarding final roster decisions. On the whole, most of the roster spots are spoken for in Toronto’s lineup. But some questions remain.

While some players may jockey for position on the Maple Leafs’ depth chart, few surprises should be forthcoming. That scenario could put the forward on the outside looking in: David Kampf.

Kampf had been a mainstay in the Maple Leafs’ bottom six leading up to last season. Unfortunately, inconsistency and a lack of offensive output led to him gradually falling out of the team’s lineup.

The addition of Scott Laughton at the trade deadline sealed Kampf’s fate with the Maple Leafs. The club has actively tried to trade the 30-year-old. But so far, there have been no takes for the remaining two years of Kampf’s $9.6 million contract.

So, if Kampf is unlikely to make the team, there could be no other destination than waivers. The Maple Leafs could cut Kampf at training camp this fall. If he does go on waivers, other teams will have an opportunity to claim him for nothing.

If he passes, he’ll be eligible to report to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. However, it’s worth noting that the team wouldn’t be able to get out from under Kampf’s cap hit. The most the Leafs can bury in the AHL is $775K. That situation means Toronto will still be on the hook for over half of Kampf’s cap hit.

But the move would at least free up a roster spot for another player the Maple Leafs would like to include on their Opening Night roster.

Maple Leafs Have Few Options with Kampf

The Maple Leafs don’t have very many options when it comes to David Kampf. The club has tried to trade him this summer but has failed to do so. Perhaps GM Brad Treliving is hopeful to avoid doing what the Red Wings did with Vladimir Tarasenko.

With a trade essentially a no-go, waivers seem like the most immediate outcome. But then again, the Maple Leafs could just hold on to Kampf as a depth piece. That could mean he ends up riding the press box most of the season.

The downside to that option is that Kampf would be a highly expensive 13^th forward. But then again, there isn’t much the Maple Leafs can do with Kampf. Unless he goes down to the AHL, keeping him around as a depth forward could be a way out.

Leafs Could Be Biding Their Time on Kampf

Another key consideration is the Maple Leafs biding their time with Kampf. There’s the chance that other teams out there find themselves desperate enough to trade for Kampf once injuries take their toll.

That approach could work for the Maple Leafs, but it could take some time to unfurl. There could be multiple teams out there desperate enough to get center depth that they may be willing to actually give up something valuable for Kampf.

That scenario is sort of wishful thinking, but it could be one that might materialize. If that’s the case, the Maple Leafs could end up getting more than they bargained for.