Maple Leafs’ Rielly and Kampf land on Daily Faceoff’s latest Trade Targets list

It’s been just over a week since the Toronto Maple Leafs lost yet another Game 7 to exit the playoffs in disappointing fashion, and since then one thing has been clear: change is coming.

With that in mind, speculation has already run wild about who could be coming in to shore up this roster ahead of another championship chase next season, and of course along with that, who will be headed out.

On Tuesday, Daily Faceoff insider Frank Seravalli released the latest edition of his Trade Targets board, compiling the top 20 players who may be on the block heading into the offseason in a list that “seeks to blend a player’s prominence with his likelihood of a trade.” Most interesting to fans in Toronto from the list will be the two Leafs who made the cut (so to speak) in Morgan Rielly landing #15 and David Kampf at #17.

Rielly is the longest tenured Maple Leaf, with 12 seasons in the blue and white sweater under his belt. Having been with the team through their now nine consecutive playoff appearances without even a Conference Final appearance to boast, it’s no surprise that the veteran defenceman may be on the way out. With five years remaining on a contract worth $7.5 million annually, Seravalli writes:

“The Leafs need a puck-moving defenceman, someone who can help get them out of trouble efficiently and exiting the zone with more ease. Rielly isn’t that anymore. He’s been a fine playoff contributor, surprisingly enough, but he isn’t an effective quarterback on the first power play unit and his game showed significant signs of slowing down this season. Should the Leafs make a move before that contract becomes onerous?”

And while it feels like he’s been in the league forever, Rielly is only 31 and still has good years to give to a team that may be searching for that veteran presence on their blue line. Speaking after Toronto’s Game 7 loss to the Florida Panthers, the longtime Leaf brushed off the possible changes incoming for the team that could see him on a new roster come next season.

On the offensive side of things, Kampf has only two years remaining on his contract, with an annual cap hit of $2.4 million. On the Czech skater, Seravalli writes:

“With a late-season injury, Kampf really faded into the background, with coach Craig Berube opting to keep him out of the lineup for most of the Stanley Cup playoffs as a healthy scratch. Now, Kampf has two years left at a number that isn’t problematic, but probably still less than ideal for the Leafs. He is a quality utility player who competes, so they should be able to find a taker.”

While it’s not a name that sounds as flashy to those who want to see what a trade for someone like Auston Matthews could yield, Kampf is a realistic piece who could be sent off in a re-organization of Toronto’s depth, as Brad Treliving works on building a stronger, more resilient roster from top to bottom this summer.