NHL Watch: David Kampf’s future uncertain with Toronto Maple Leafs

David Kampf, the 30-year-old forward, has not yet made up his mind and is still suspended by the Toronto Maple Leafs. After being sent to the AHL to begin the 2025-26 season with the Toronto Marlies, Kampf has taken time off from the team while deciding what to do next.

He was waived at the start of the season, and during the few games he played with the Marlies, he managed to register only one assist. TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger has disclosed that Kampf and his representative JP Barry are looking for options, and a decision is due by Monday. The fans are keeping a keen eye on the situation as it could unravel whether Kampf goes back to the Marlies or takes a different route in his career.Kampf has endured a hard season, which was followed by a rough one under coach Craig Berube in 2024-25. His statistics showed a total of five goals and 13 points over 59 games played, during which he was averaging a career-low of 12:24 in ice time; he was, however, included in one playoff game during Toronto’s second-round exit, which was a 6-1 loss to the Florida Panthers. This is starkly different from his first two seasons in Toronto, where he managed to score 26 and 27 points.

His performance during the regular season led to a four-year, $9.6 million contract extension in June 2023, which also revealed the high expectations that the franchise had for him.

What’s next for David Kampf and the Maple Leafs?

Kampf’s career in the NHL began in 2017 when he signed with the Chicago Blackhawks as an undrafted free agent and remained there for four seasons before moving to Toronto in 2021. Chris Johnston from TSN mentioned that a decision could be made by the end of the weekend, which means that Kampf might either go back to the Marlies or start working with the Leafs again.

With Toronto constantly changing which forwards they have on the main roster, Kampf’s situation highlights the difficulty of managing the aspects of performance, depth, and development that are essential for thriving in a competitive league.It’s unclear what David Kampf will do next, but his decision will influence the direction of his career and the Maple Leafs’ forward depth. The player’s reunion with Toronto, his transfer to the Marlies, or even his search for a new job will surely attract the attention of fans and analysts.More coverage on NHLNHL Injury Update: Calgary Flames rookie Zayne Parekh injured in game against Chicago BlackhawksWhat’s really happening between David Kampf and the Maple Leafs? Inside the riftNHL Rumors: Brendan Shanahan’s next move could involve Buffalo Sabres or Chicago Blackhawks