David Kampf potential landing spots: Top 5 NHL teams who may sign forward after Leafs contract termination

Toronto Maple Leafs forward David Kampf has been at the forefront of rumors and trade speculation throughout this past offseason and the beginning of this season.

That speculation ramped up this weekend when insider Elliotte Friedman discussed David Kampf’s leave of absence from Toronto’s AHL affiliate to ponder his future. Friedman went on to describe in the November 1 edition of Saturday Headlines that a potential contract termination could be on the table, though nothing is imminent at this point.

With that in mind, it’s worth looking into the potential landing spots that David Kampf could find, should the 30-year-old and the Toronto Maple Leafs mutually agree on a contract termination.

5 landing spots of David Kampf following a potential contract termination

#5 Calgary Flames

The Calgary Flames are sitting at the bottom of the NHL standings. As such, they could be one of the teams looking to sell off valuable veteran assets like Rasmus Andersson and Nazem Kadri. Kadri, in particular, is a center. If the Flames move him, they will need another center to replace him. So, adding David Kampf could be a smart move for the Flames.

#4 Florida Panthers

The Florida Panthers suffered a massive loss at the outset of this season when they lost top-line center Aleksander Barkov for the season. While the club’s depth has stepped, most notably with Anton Lundell, the Panthers may be looking to bolster their depth down the middle.

Bringing in David Kampf could be a solid depth move as he could anchor the Panthers’ fourth line. The Cats could use a specialized defensive center like Kampf to offset the loss of the Selke Trophy-winning Barkov.

Plus, Kampf could be a very good, cost-effective option. That move would allow the Panthers to continue adding at the trade deadline.

#3 Vancouver Canucks

The Vancouver Canucks are another team getting hit hard with injuries. The club has lost centers Teddy Blueger and Filip Chytil. Chytil, specifically, was on the receiving end of a massive hit from the Washington Capitals' Tom Wilson. As a result, Chytil could be sidelined indefinitely with a concussion.

That’s why adding David Kampf could help the Canucks focus on their middle-six depth, especially since NHL-caliber centers get kind of thin beyond top-line pivot Elias Pettersson.

#2 New Jersey Devils

New Jersey Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe knows Kampf very well. Keefe coached the Czech forward for several seasons before moving on from the Leafs. That situation could make the defensively-challenged Devils a solid landing spot for the veteran center.

The Devils have had trouble playing solid defense this season. So, Kampf could anchor the Devils’ shutdown line, allowing the club to address its lackluster defense.

#1 Pittsburgh Penguins

Like Keefe in New Jersey, GM Kyle Dubas in Pittsburgh knows Kampf very well. It was Dubas who originally brought Kampf to Toronto, while the current Penguins GM held a similar role with the Leafs.

Kampf would be a fantastic addition to the Penguins, especially with the club exceeding expectations at this point.

The Penguins have a solid one-two punch in Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. So, adding Kampf as a third-line center would not only bolster the defensive side of the equation but also provide much-needed stability as younger players come up through the Penguins’ system and into the NHL.

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Edited by Nestor Quixtan