Three Protected Leafs Forwards Emerge as Trade Candidates Before Training Camp

Although the Maple Leafs are still looking to make a splash this offseason, they aren't going to rush to get a deal done, no badly how fans want things to get things figured out.

They are trying to be patient and find the right pieces, and they are also trying to make sure they can find the right deals for three of their veteran pieces: Max Domi, David Kampf and Calle Jarnkrok.

There's a lot of discussion over who is going to be traded, where they may head off to, and what Toronto is going to get in return.

But according to NHL Insider Darren Dreger, the team has a bit of a caveat when it comes to getting a deal done, and it's all because of their pesky trade protection:

In the case of Kampf and Jarnkrok, they have a 10-team no-trade clause, meanwhile Domi has 13 teams he can veto a trade to. That makes things difficult because not only does Toronto need to find a team they are willing to go to, but find one that's willing to take them on.

Jarnkrok is a free agent at the end of the season, and Kampf has two years left and only has protection this upcoming year, and Domi's still got three years left with his no-movement clause.

All three men are fairly cheap options too, with Domi and Kampf making just a shade over $2-million, meanwhile Jarnkrok is making the league minimum of $775,000. For a contending team who needs a veteran, or a rebuilding team looking for mentorship, they all make sense.

Domi, 30, had 33 points in 74 games in a rough season with Toronto. He had one of his lowest point totals of his career, and coming into a season with a brand new extension, he certainly didn't play up to those standards.

His defensive game is pretty invisible, and if he can't get the offense going again, it's a lot of money for nothing; so hopefully he can bounce back this year.

Kampf, 30, is more of a defensive specialist and a fantastic penalty killer. He's able to win you face-offs, frustrate opponents, and has the potential to score a bit too (he has an 11-goal campaign under his belt).

He fell out of favor with Craig Berube and was only in one postseason game this year, and with the team looking to change their philosophy, Kampf is likely out of town.

Jarnkrok, 33, is the oldest of the bunch and struggled heavily coming off of sports hernia surgery. In 19 games, he scored seven points and while he appeared in 12 postseason contests, he only had one assist and was basically a non-factor.

He'll give any team a great veteran two-way presence who has the offensive potential to help the bottom-six but is getting up their in age, and can mentor young players on a rebuilding team.

Asking the trio to waive their no-movement clause is going to be a bit difficult, especially if they are dead set on being members of the 2025-26 roster.

But Brad Treliving has worked some magic before, so if you wake up and hear that one or several of these players have been traded, don't be surprised.

Be excited.