Market heats up immediately as 4 teams pursue David Kampf after contract termination

On Thursday, the Toronto Maple Leafs officially placed forward David Kampf on waivers for the purpose of termination of contract. On Friday, he cleared the wire and can now focus on the next step in his career.

Kampf is officially a free agent and is allowed to sign with any of the 31 others teams in the league if they make him an offer.

It’s been a tough start to the 2025-26 campaign for Kampf, who had been away from the Maple Leafs pondering his future after starting the 2025-26 season in the AHL. He was waived at the beginning of the season and was sent to the Toronto Marlies. He played in four games with the team, recording one assist.

The contract with Toronto is now over as Kampf was in the third season of a four-year, $9.6 million contract that carries an AAV of $2.4 million. After collecting 26 and 27 points in his first two years in Toronto, Kampf had agree to that four-year extension back in June of 2023.

The uncertainty of free agency is nothing new for Kampf, who is an undrafted free agent when he signed a two-year, entry-level contract in May of 2017 with the Blackhawks. He spent four seasons in Chicago before joining the Maple Leafs as a free agent in 2021 on a two-year deal.

A fresh start could be exactly what Kampf needs at this point in his career and his contract termination might offer just that.

And there is reportedly interest for the new free agent. According to Darren Dreger, the Montreal Canadiens, Pittsburgh Penguins, Calgary Flames, and Vancouver Canucks are among the early suitors.

“The Canucks have a rash of injuries,” said Dreger, also suggesting the Penguins seem to have an eager interest.

“These are teams that I believe, on Friday, will at least check in to see if there’s a fit.”

What is next for Kampf?