David Kirouac-Imagn Images

David Kampf Sends Emotional Message to Maple Leafs

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Nov 16, 2025 10:19 AM ET

David Kampf officially joined the Vancouver Canucks following the termination of his contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs, ending one of the most discussed off-ice sagas of the early NHL season.

Kampf began this season in the AHL with the Toronto Marlies and did not appear in a single NHL game before being released.

Kampf’s departure followed weeks of off-ice tension. The Leafs waived him at the start of the season and assigned him to the AHL in October, where he recorded one assist in four games before taking a leave of absence that led to a suspension on Nov. 2.

After failing to find a trade partner, Toronto opted to terminate his contract on Friday.

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Before suiting up in Vancouver, Kampf shared a final message with fans from his previous stop. On Saturday, the 30-year-old posted a farewell to Maple Leafs supporters via Instagram, closing the door on a turbulent end to his tenure in Toronto.

“It’s been a pleasure Toronto. A great chapter of my life but the time has come to move on,” Kampf wrote. “I gave everything I had to this organization and city and I’ll always be thankful for the opportunity I got here.”

The Czech forward thanked his former teammates and staff members within the Leafs organization, where he played since joining the franchise in 2021.

“Thank you to all my teammates I got to spend those years with I wish you guys all the best,” Kampf wrote. “Also, special thank you to each and every one of the Leafs staff for taking care of me and my family through the years. Toronto will always have a special place in our hearts. Excited for the future with Canucks!”

Toronto Maple Leafs center David Kampf (64) follows the puck.Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images

Over four NHL seasons in Toronto, Kampf played 301 games, scoring 85 total points split into 31 goals and 54 assists. Most recently, Kampf scored 13 points in 59 games last season.

The Canucks signed Kampf to a one-year, $1.1 million contract amid multiple injuries at center. Kampf, however, will not debut in Vancouver until he regains game conditioning, as he has missed the last two weeks after leaving the Marlies.

The Canucks (8–9–2) face the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday at 5 p.m. ET.

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This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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