Maple Leafs–David Kampf update: Top NHL insider reveals crucial detail after shocking suspension

The Toronto Maple Leafs are facing a contract issue with forward David Kampf. He was suspended without pay after refusing to play for the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. The situation has raised questions about his contract and what the team will do next.

Speaking on Monday’s episode of the 32 Thoughts podcast, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman shared new details about the Leafs and David Kampf situation. He explained that Kampf’s contract included a signing bonus with specific clawback language.

"So he [Kampf] had a signing bonus of, I think, a million and a quarter," Friedman said. [32:38 onwards] "And it was paid earlier this summer. What there is in some contracts is there's something called clawback language, and it allows the team to seek the return of a signing bonus if the player terminates the deal.

"...It protects against the player quitting once his sign bonus is paid, and gives the team a route to seek it back right back in the contract."

Friedman added that the NHL could also push the Leafs to enforce the clause, since it provides them with two years of salary cap relief.

"If Kampf was to terminate, the Maple Leafs would get two years of CAP flexibility, right?" Friedman said. "Because they basically get his entire contract wiped out, and the cap hit, and the cap hit, like his AAV is 2.4 in the minors; you get to take a little over a million of that off, so you get a couple years of savings."

However, the NHL Players’ Association is expected to support David Kampf, arguing that the player should keep his bonus. Friedman noted that the discussion over the signing bonus is one reason the case has taken longer than expected to resolve.

"I have heard the return of the signing bonus has come up in the middle of this," Friedman said, "...So that's another one of the reasons I think this has taken longer than people thought or expected."

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David Kampf's contract and production with Maple Leafs

David Kampf, 30, signed a four-year, $9.6 million contract in 2023 under general manager Brad Treliving. The deal includes a 10-team no-trade clause for this season and runs through the 2026-27 season. The situation has been difficult for the Leafs, who are trying to manage salary cap issues and roster depth.

Kampf has played 536 NHL games, scoring 48 goals and registering 143 points. He played four seasons for the Chicago Blackhawks before joining the Leafs. Last season, he scored 5 goals and 13 points in 59 games for the Leafs.

For now, both sides remain at a standstill as the Maple Leafs look to move on from the dispute.