Toronto had enough of David Kampf and let him leave, and after a season full of struggles, he's making his way back home to Czechia to ply his craft overseas.
Last season, the Toronto Maple Leafs went through some lineup changes and that pushed David Kampf out of a spot. He wasn't too happy and left the Marlies after being set down, leading to the team suspending him, waiving him, then letting him walk where he signed in Vancouver.
He didn't really do much of note there either, as he had six points in 38 games while playing two additional games for the Capitals after being acquired at the deadline. It's a far cry from where he was at one point and time in his career, and with him as a current free agent and zero walkabout an BNHL contract; his time may be done.
David Kampf heads back home to Czechia after signing a new contract overseas
He seems to realize that too, as the former Maple Leafs forward has decided he wanted to head back home.
It was reported by Czechia club HC Litvonov on their social media that the team had signed Kampf to a three-year deal starting in 2026-27:
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It seems like the team has been preparing for a deal with Kampf for some time, and were extremely excited in their press release announcing the signing:
This is a huge boost for us and great news not only for Litvinov but for the entire Extraliga.
Acquiring a player of David's caliber-someone arriving in his prime directly from the NHL-is incredibly valuable to us. David is a complete forward, a leader, and a professional who will immediately elevate our team's quality to a whole new level.
We are thrilled that he has decided to commit his future to us.
The announcement was made by Litvonov's chairman and former NHLer Jiri Slegr, and it looks like Kampf is going to continue his career a lot closer to home and where he may be a little more comfortable.
David Kampf's downfall from trusted penalty killer to overseas signing
There was once a time though where Kampf was regarded as a trusted name that you threw out on the PK who won face-offs, played incredibly gritty, had savvy defensive skills and didn't overstay his role.
He did enjoy his best offensive seasons in Toronto where he had a career-high 11 goals in his first season while adding a plus-12, winning over 50% of his face-offs and getting some minor Selke attention.
But he fell off a cliff after that, only having 19 points and a minus-14 rating his last two seasons. The defensive game slipped and the offensive side completely dried-up, and his attitude issues with leaving the Marlies after feeling slighted because he didn't want to play in the AHL left Toronto with no choice.
He had a nightmare debut in Vancouver and wasn't looked at as any relief for a team who was dead-last in the NHL with no way to climb up. Kampf being part of that team is pretty poetic though as both were once fairly reliable and consistent entities who seemingly fell off the face of the planet.
With no pressure and a chance to play at home, Kampf's going to continue his career at the very least, but it's likely it doesn't continue in the NHL going forward.
Do you think David Kampf's NHL career is over?
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