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Leafs practice notes: David Kampf fills in for injured Scott Laughton, opening night lines may be revised

Originally posted on TheLeafsnation | Last updated Oct 3, 2025 3:40 PM ET

David Kampf filled in for Scott Laughton on the Toronto Maple Leafs’ fourth line during Friday’s practice at the Ford Performance Centre. Laughton suffered a lower-body injury during Thursday’s preseason loss to the Detroit Red Wings and is listed as day-to-day.

“It’s a tough loss for him and us. It’s a bad break. He’s had a real good camp. Yeah, it’s tough for everybody,” Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said of Laughton’s injury, via TSN’s Mark Masters.

When asked if Laughton broke a bone, Berube stated that it was merely lower-body.

Fair to wonder if the injury stemmed from this play where he blocked a Moritz Seider shot during a penalty kill https://t.co/opUhYE9eB0 pic.twitter.com/qTMwlxoZ3O

— Michael (@mic_mazz) October 3, 2025

Laughton played the entire game, although he laboured to the bench after blocking a shot from Red Wings defenceman Moritz Seider in the second period. The 31-year-old centred the fourth line alongside Steven Lorentz and Easton Cowan, a combination that was likely going to begin the regular season together. Cowan is Toronto’s top-ranked prospect and has worked tirelessly to earn a spot on the opening night roster, but it’s entirely possible Berube elects to use Nick Robertson or Calle Jarnkrok instead, while the 20-year-old joins the AHL’s Toronto Marlies.

In any event, Toronto’s opening night lineup may need some revisions following Laughton’s injury. Jarnkrok and Robertson took line rushes alongside Michael Pezzetta on Friday.

“He’s a good NHL player. Been around. Played in the league for a long time so he’s reliable,” Berube said of Kampf.

Kampf has played sparingly throughout the preseason but recorded five goals and 13 points in 59 games.

Toronto concludes its preseason schedule against Detroit on Saturday. Dennis Hildeby will likely get the start, with Anthony Stolarz widely expected to start Wednesday’s season opener against the Montreal Canadiens.