The Toronto Maple Leafs have officially severed ties with veteran centre David Kampf, marking a sudden end to his time with the franchise. The team announced on Thursday, November 13, 2025, that they have placed the player on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract.
The End of an Era in Toronto
Should Kampf clear waivers on Friday, he will become an unrestricted free agent, free to sign with any team in the National Hockey League. This drastic measure comes after general manager Brad Treliving was unable to find a trade partner for the 30-year-old forward.
The decision brings a swift conclusion to a contract that was widely questioned from the start. Shortly after his hiring in May 2023, Treliving signed Kampf to a four-year, $2.4 million average annual value contract that would have carried through the 2026-27 season. The term and financial commitment were considered substantial for a player whose primary role was as a fourth-line centre.
A Rapid Decline in Role and Production
Kampf's fall from grace was rapid. By the time the Stanley Cup playoffs arrived in the spring, head coach Craig Berube had largely relegated him to the press box, making him a healthy scratch for the majority of the Leafs' two playoff rounds against the Ottawa Senators and Florida Panthers.
The situation deteriorated further at the start of the 2025-26 season. Kampf was waived before the campaign began and subsequently played only four games with the AHL's Toronto Marlies in October. His time with the farm team was short-lived, as he soon left the team to contemplate his hockey future, leading to a suspension without pay earlier in November.
Looking Back at Kampf's Leafs Tenure
Kampf originally joined the Maple Leafs as a free agent in 2021 after spending four seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks. Under former coach Sheldon Keefe, he initially carved out a valuable role as a dependable penalty killer and faceoff specialist.
His offensive production saw a peak during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons, where he set and then surpassed career highs with 26 and 27 points respectively. However, his playoff contributions were modest, recording three goals and three assists across 26 postseason games with Toronto.
The contract termination provides the Maple Leafs with much-needed salary cap flexibility as they navigate the current NHL season. For Kampf, it represents an unexpected turn in a professional career that now hangs in the balance as he considers his next move in hockey.
