Kรคmpf Released, Nowโข a Free Agent After Unsuccessful NHL Waiver โClaim
Torontoโข Maple Leafs forward David Kรคmpf is now aโ free agent after goingโ unclaimed on waivers andโฃ later agreeing โto a contract termination with the โคteam. Theโค 30-year-old czech โcenter was โคplaced on waivers in early October followingโ training camp and, when no teamโ claimed him, โwas assigned to the AHL’sโค Toronto Marliesโ where heโข played four games. Kรคmpf โคthen stepped awayโ from the Marlies in early Novemberโ to consider his options, leading to a suspension โwithout pay from Toronto.
Kรคmpf signed a two-year, $3 million contract withโค the Maple Leafsโ in 2021 and has recorded 31 goals and 54 assists โคin 301 gamesโ for Toronto. While a return to Europe, with Sparta Prague among those expressing interest, is considered unlikely, Kรคmpfโข is now able to negotiate a new contract with any NHL team. Though, any new deal will almostโ certainly be for less money than the $1.5 million remaining onโ his terminated contract. He was โคable to retain โคthe $1.325 million signingโค bonus already paid. โข
Several NHL teams are expected to show interest, โwith The Athletic naming Vancouver, Montreal, Minnesota, and Pittsburgh as potential destinations. โKรคmpf’s Olympic aspirations for the Czech Republic in February are also a factor, though a loan to a Czech teamโฃ was previously deemed unfeasible by โToronto due to potential recall complications.
