Toronto Maple Leafs Optional Practice Sees Intriguing Duo Skating Together Amid Trade Rumors
During the Toronto Maple Leafs' optional practice ahead of their game vs. the Columbus Blue Jackets, David Kampf and Timothy Liljegren were the only two on the ice.
The Toronto Maple Leafs face the Columbus Blue Jackets in some Tuesday night hockey, as Toronto looks to build off a dominant 5-2 over Tampa Bay on Monday night, led by a two-goal effort from William Nylander and the continuing dominance of the BMW Line. There's already a bit of drama surrounding the game and the puck hasn't even dropped yet, as the presumed season debut for Woll faces a setback and will be delayed in favor of rookie Dennis Hildeby.
Well, there seems to be a bit more drama surrounding today's game and it involves two potential trade candidates. During Toronto's optional skate ahead of their game, only David Kampf and Timothy Liljegren were seen skating on the ice, alongside Joseph Woll who was getting in some extra reps.
The interpretation may seem perilous however it's not unexpected, given that over a dozen teams were seen scouting the Maple Leafs last week with Liljegren starting and playing in his only game this season vs. Los Angeles. Kampf also started in that game and no doubt got a look from the scouts in attendance as well. Of both men, Liljegren could use the change of scenery the most, as Toronto has no room for the defenseman, and with his $3M cap headache, it would best serve Toronto to find a trade partner; especially with their returning players.
David Kampf has been average this season, and would help a team on their bottom six, and can offer defensive versatility and a little bit of scoring to boot. A package deal for both men could entice a team such as Utah or Dallas to scoop them up and find a better use for them than Toronto could of.
His role will be filled by Calle Jarnkrok or Fraser Minten upon their return, so they can afford to part ways with Kampf's $2.4M cap hit.
David Kampf's time in Toronto may be a little longer than Liljegren's as he does fit Craig Berube's style of coaching, however with the logjam of forwards Toronto has it could be tough to find a spot once everyone's healthy and hasn't shown enough to warrant sticking around. Both men are fairly young, with Liljegren being 25 and Kampf 29, so one is amid their prime and one has yet to reach it. Giving them a new place to play might unlock whatever untapped potential is there, especially in the case of Liljegren; as Toronto drafted him ahead of names like Robert Thomas, Jake Oettinger, and Henri Jokiharju who have all become stud players at their respective positions.
Toronto needs to open up some salary cap space and has two pieces that teams are looking for both in the regular season, playoffs, and the future. Liljegren could blossom into a Top-4 defenseman and Kampf could find his role as a solid bottom-line contributon.
However, the Maple Leafs need to make a move soon, and this optional skate could signal one of the last times they touch the ice in the Blue and White.
| POLL | ||
Who will Toronto end up trading between Timothy Liljegren and David Kampf? | ||
| David Kampf | 21 | 5.8 % |
| Timothy Liljegren | 155 | 42.7 % |
| Both | 163 | 44.9 % |
| Neither | 24 | 6.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
