Maple Leafs Face Tough Call on Two Players With Uncertain Trade Futures
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Maple Leafs analyst and Leafs Morning Take co-host Jay Rosehill discussed the possibility of Toronto buying out both Calle Jarnkrok and David Kampf.
As the 2025-26 season creeps up on us, there is going to be a lot of questions regarding the Toronto Maple Leafs roster makeup and how the team will line up once the puck drops on October 8th as they face off against their biggest rivals, Montreal.
The two players currently seemingly on the outside looking in are David Kampf and Calle Jarnkrok. With the moves the team made this offseason it looks like they are changing the guard so to speak, their spot is now in jeopardy as they don't have the best fit.
For Jarnkrok he might have a better chance because of his versatility, but Kampf is more than likely gone, though without a buyer it seems the only way to do so is through a buyout.
Jay Rosehill Discusses Kampf and Jarnkrok's Role in 2025-26
That was the topic of discussion for Maple Leafs analyst and Leafs Morning Take co-host Jay Rosehill recently, and he took the time to explain whether it was a good or bad idea to keep Kampf and Jarnkrok:
If you can make a deal obviously you want to make a deal, get some picks you know; which we're al little bit lean on.
Camp's a big thing, preseason is a big thing but inevitable you're going to run out of spots on the roster and have to make some moves. That's going to happen but why rush it if you don't need to?
I think it's possible we get to a point where there are too many guys on the roster, I know there okay for cap space now but to keep that many players, they need to make a decision; put a pin on them, and put them on waivers.
It's no ideal to them but they aren't different than anyone else in the world. You have to justify your position on an NHL roster, you need to force them to keep you, force them to realize your value, and I just haven't seen enough of that so far.
It all depends on how camp and preseason goes, whether they earn that spot or not on the team, I don't know but there will be decisions made.
Camp's a big thing, preseason is a big thing but inevitable you're going to run out of spots on the roster and have to make some moves. That's going to happen but why rush it if you don't need to?
I think it's possible we get to a point where there are too many guys on the roster, I know there okay for cap space now but to keep that many players, they need to make a decision; put a pin on them, and put them on waivers.
It's no ideal to them but they aren't different than anyone else in the world. You have to justify your position on an NHL roster, you need to force them to keep you, force them to realize your value, and I just haven't seen enough of that so far.
It all depends on how camp and preseason goes, whether they earn that spot or not on the team, I don't know but there will be decisions made.
Why Toronto Should Consider A Buyout
Well if there are going to be too many bodies and not enough space, it seems like the team is going to need to go through waivers with one or both players, and that isn't really a great call either.
Kampf isn't an AHL player, and the Marlies are better off building their youth than wasting a spot, and Jarnkrok is in the same boat, and it's unlikely either man would get claimed so either they head to the AHL, or they get cut.
It would make the most sense to cut Kampf considering there's potential for Jarnkrok to synergize well with the top-six given his versatility but Kampf is a one trick pony.
It'll cost the Maple Leafs $1.68-million for the next two seasons, then drop to just over $350,000 for the next two; and with a rising cap that might be a smart decision, but if the team wants to sign a premium free agent next summer they'll need as much money as possible.
But it's better than wasting a roster spot and throwing Kampf in the press box.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 1 | 1294 ANSWERS Maple Leafs Face Tough Call on Two Players With Uncertain Trade Futures Would you trade David Kampf or Calle Jarnkrok? | ||
| David Kampf | 881 | 68.1 % |
| Calle Jarnkrok | 413 | 31.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
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