Maple Leafs Finally Activate Forward After Extended Absence, Per Insider

After missing the last 12 games with an injury, David Kampf is finally making his way back to the Maple Leafs, as the fourth-line forward was officially activated off the IR on Wednesday afternoon.

The news was later confirmed by Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun.

It's a big return for the Maple Leafs who need as much defense as possible when it comes to the notoriously tough Dallas Stars team who is looking to keep their hot season going.

Kampf played in the first 18 games of the Maple Leafs' season, and has recorded two assists so far as Craig Berube has used Kampf almost exclusively as a defensive option and a penalty killing machine.

The move also coincides with the demotion of rookie Fraser Minten yesterday.

Kampf is going to line up in his regular fourth-line spot alongside Steven Lorentz and Ryan Reaves in a trio that played heavily together throughout the first part of the season.

Acquired in free agency after leaving the Chicago Blackhawks, Kampf has been a solid contributor to Toronto's bottom half. In 260 games with the Leafs, he has 26 goals and 49 assists; including a career-high 11 goals in his first year with the club.

Toronto is going to need all of the defensive help they can get as the team has to face a notoriously stingy Dallas Stars team who sits third in the Central Division.

While not known for being offensive, Kampf will have to give it his all against a Stars team that is ranked first in the NHL for goals against; only giving up 75 this season.

At the very least needs to shut down names like Matt Duchene, Mason Marchment and Jason Robertson; fellow teammate Nicholas Robertson's older brother. Dallas is without Tyler Seguin so Toronto can at least rest a little easier knowing another potential weapon isn't available for the Stars.