Leafs Searching for Kampf Replacement, Key Free Agent Could Be the Answer

Although there hasn't been a huge splash for the Maple Leafs just yet, they've done well to add some depth pieces as they try to navigate a thinning free agent market, meaning they made need to hit the trade block in order to get the last couple of players to fill out the lineup.

There are still a few under the radar targets the Maple Leafs could go after like Jack Roslovic and Jeff Skinner, though if they are looking to move on from David Kampf then they should certainly target Luke Kunin to replace him.

According to The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta, the free agent center is garnering a lot of interest and might be closing in on a deal, and it's hopeful the Maple Leafs are one of those interested parties.

Oster is the representative for names such as Erik Karlsson, Rasmus Dahlin, Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart, and Aaron Ekblad; he's got his hands in all sorts of big deals with Kunin looking to cash in next.

Kunin, 27, has been one of the better offensive fourth-liners in the past few seasons, and would bring a much needed boost over Kampf, though the defensive side would take a bit of a hit.

Last season he had 18 points (11G, 7A) in 75 games split between San Jose and Columbus; for his career he has 142 points in 434 games (73G, 69A) and has the ability to give Toronto 10-15 goals; a massive boost that would have put him ahead of guys like Max Domi, Kampf, and Pontus Holmberg.

But he brings a physical game that Craig Berube would love, and his 638 hits over the last four seasons is exactly what Toronto needs in the bottom half: physicality, energy, and the potential to come up clutch when it matters.

Losing Kampf does hinder the Maple Leafs a bit given that he is one of the better defensive forwards you can have in the bottom-six, and he's a fantastic penalty killer.

He seemed to fall out of favor with Berube though, missing the playoffs essentially as Toronto focused on adding more physicality and size; Kampf had 13 points in 59 games for the Leafs this past season (5G, 8A).

Kunin won't replace Kampf's defense, but the grit, passion and heart he shows every night will certainly make up for it, and the team doesn't need to break the bank at all (two-year, $3.2-million should suffice) and the team can get rid of Kampf for some quieter assets.

It's not going to be the flashy move fans want yet again, but it follows Toronto's new philosophy. Fight over flair, grit instead of grandeur...

Passion over pizazz.