Frank Seravalli Reports: Calgary Flames Exploring Trade, Toronto Maple Leafs Emerge Possible Partner

The Calgary Flames have a lack of center depth this season, and while Mikael Backlund and Justin Kirkland are good enough, if Calgary wants to get over the hump they need a true center who can win faceoffs, play defensively sound, and kill penalties. They could look to their junior system and call up Clark Bishop but that would leave their AHL team worse for wear. They could look to the free agent market and sign a Sam Gagner or Colin White to fill the gap. Or, they could look to the trade market.

The trade market is where they could find the best value, and according to The Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli during Amazon's Sports on Prime 'NHL Coast to Coast' segment, the Flames are looking for center help and while trades within the first few weeks of the season are few and far between, Calgary may be desperate enough to field an offer.

The Flames could look to an old friend for help, and look to former GM Brad Treliving and the Toronto Maple Leafs to solve their center woes. David Kampf would be a perfect fit for the Flames given his relative youth, faceoff acumen, defense, and slot perfectly between Connor Zary and Blake Coleman, allowing Mikael Backlund to play the fourth line.

This trade works in favor of Toronto as well, needing to shed cap space and removing Kampf's $2.4M headache from their salary cap is a much-needed move for now, and for the future. Kampf's role can be filled by both the returning Calle Jarnkrok and Fraser Minten, not to mention Toronto also has a fantastic replacement center in Steven Lorentz, who has been on the wing beside Kampf to start the year. Toronto can't afford Kampf's contract when they have equal value on the ice at half the cost, so a trade could pay huge dividends in the future.

Kampf, who came to Toronto in 2021, has been a decent if unspectacular addition to the Maple Leafs. Playing a bottom-line role, he's known for playing defensively and having a knack in the faceoff circle but has scored 26 goals and 47 assists during his time with Toronto. Still only 29, Kampf is reaching the peak of his prime, and if Toronto won't be able to capitalize on it, then Calgary sure can. Perhaps a package of Kampf and a lower pick for a low-mid-end prospect or a few draft picks would be a great way to recoup assets while dropping Kampf's contract.

If the Calgary Flames are desperate for a center, and the season keeps going with many questions involving their depth; maybe it'll entice the Flames to pick up the phone and call Treliving and see if they can work out a deal for old time's sake.