- NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20’s seating configuration sells out, more to be added
- NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20 Sells Out, More Seats To Be Added
- World Cup 2026: Italy fighting to avoid another ‘apocalyptic’ qualification failure
- Fifa reports 30,000 abusive social media posts in 2025
- UFC 322 Was One of the Best MMA Cards of the Year
- Dominik Mysterio On Why Neck Tattoo Was A Terrible Decision
- WWE Star Omos Looks Back On The Challenges Of Pro Wrestling Training
- Giannis Antetokounmpo steps in to assist Lakers after game ball drama
Browsing: ExLeafs
Ryan S. ClarkNov 15, 2025, 06:36 PM ET
- Ryan S. Clark is an NHL reporter for ESPN.
Center David Kampf signed a one-year contract with the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday, just a day after the Toronto Maple Leafs terminated his previous deal.
Kampf, whose deal with the Canucks will carry a $1.1 million cap hit, was entering the third year of his four-year contract with the Maple Leafs that was worth $2.4 million annually.
The Leafs waived Kampf before the season, and he began the year with their AHL affiliate. Kampf played four games in the AHL before taking a voluntary leave of absence, which wasn’t sanctioned by the Leafs, to evaluate his options.
Kampf, who scored 5 goals and 13 points in 59 games last season, gives the Canucks a two-way center who has logged more than 110 short-handed minutes in seven straight seasons.
The Canucks have faced defensive challenges under first-year coach Adam Foote, who already has had to navigate injuries to Filip Chytil, Thatcher Demko, Derek Forbort, Filip Hronek and Quinn Hughes, among others.
Entering Saturday, the Canucks were allowing 3.53 goals per game, which is the fifth most in the NHL, while their penalty kill is the worst in the league at 66.1%. The Los Angeles Kings set the NHL record for the worst penalty kill in league history with a 68.2% success rate in the 1979-80 campaign.
Kampf also provides a veteran presence at center for the Canucks, who entered the season with questions at the position. Those concerns have intensified with Teddy Blueger and Chytil on injured reserve.
Entering Saturday, the Canucks (8-9-2) had the second-fewest points in the Pacific Division but were two points behind the Chicago Blackhawks and Winnipeg Jets for Western Conference wild-card spots.