Maple Leafs’ David Kampf, William Villeneuve clear waivers

Kampf and Villeneuve were placed on waivers Friday as the Leafs make more cuts in anticipation of the regular season opener on Wednesday. Villeneuve passing through waivers was not a surprise given he was likely bound to begin the season in the AHL regardless, though he could be in the mix to get a call-up if the blueline runs into injury troubles.

Villeneuve found his footing offensively last season with 40 points (four goals and 36 assists) in 55 games played, along with two assists in two playoff games

Kampf, meanwhile, going through waivers is a bit of a surprise due to the circumstances that have befallen the Leafs recently. Scott Laughton was listed as week-to-week with a lower-body injury after suffering the ailment during Thursday’s preseason game against the Detroit Red Wings. Kampf took line rushes alongside Steven Lorentz and Easton Cowan during Friday’s practice and was widely believed to be the front-runner to replace Laughton in the lineup prior to him being placed on waivers.

The 30-year-old centre had been used sparingly by head coach Craig Berube dating back to the end of last season and was likely on the outside looking in to begin the campaign. That trend has continued into the preseason, with Calle Jarnkrok appearing to be in line to take over the fourth line as the centre option between Lorentz and Cowan.

“Of course, it’s hard, like, I think everyone wants to play, wants to be in the team,” Kampf said via Nick Barden of The Hockey News. “It was hard for me, but I’m trying to be positive and work hard every day.”

Kampf’s future with the Leafs remains more uncertain than ever now that he has cleared waivers. Reports throughout the summer indicated that the team was trying to move off his contract, though no deal materialized. It is certainly possible that the team opts to bring him back into the fold as a stopgap while Laughton recovers, though the liklihood of a trade has increased now that he is eligible to be sent down to the AHL.

Kampf recorded 13 points (five goals and eight assists) in 59 games played while going scoreless in one playoff appearance.