Toronto is circling around forwards Alex Kerfoot and David Kampf. Obviously, time is running out before the UFA market opens. Kampf appears to be more of a focus for the Leafs at this point.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) June 27, 2023
It's possible Brad Treliving had some sticker shock when looking at other available players to fill the roles these two held on the Leafs.
David Kämpf
Age: 28
Shoots: Left
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 188 lb
David Kämpf is an undrafted centre who was signed by Chigaco in 2017 to a 2-year ELC. They re-signed him in 2020 for two years at $1 million. The Maple Leafs signed him in 2021 for two years at $1.5 million.
He is an all-defence centre with some good PK skills and an ability to limit shots against and quality of shots against. He has no positive impact on offence at all, but is good enough to score a fourth-liner's share of goals.
A good value contract for him is two years at less than $2 million with the expectation that he is a depth centre who can play his shutdown role against top competition, not other depth.
Alexander Kerfoot
Age: 29 this summer
Shoots: Left
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 185 lb
Alex Kerfoot is a centre/winger who was drafted by New Jersey in the fifth round. He signed with the Colorado Avalanche in 2017 for a 2-year ELC. His signing rights were traded to Toronto as part of the Nazem Kadri deal on July 1, 2019. He signed a four-year deal three days later for $3.5 million.
Kerfoot is a mostly-defence player with an impact of considerable value on shots against and quality against. He is an order of magnitude more valuable than Kämpf in that role. He also plays Leafs-style PK to good effect.
Historically he has a low but efficient shot rate and will score around 15-20 goals (prorated out to full seasons). He had a terrible shooting percentage this past season, well below his norms. There is no reason to expect that to continue.
He is able to play convincingly in the top six as a winger, but does not add offensive value. His defensive impacts are the best on the Leafs this past season for forwards, however. He is the most versatile player on the team, playing centre or either wing on any line in any role. If he is on the power play, there is likely a shortage of good forwards.
A good value contract for him is three to four years at $3 to $4 million. If he is not expected to be a regular top-six winger, he is a valuable and inexpensive way to get defensive impacts in the bottom six.
