The Vancouver Canucks have made a strategic move to bolster their centre depth, announcing the signing of free agent David Kampf to a one-year contract worth $1.1 million. The deal, confirmed on Saturday, comes just days after the 30-year-old was released by the Toronto Maple Leafs.
A Much-Needed Defensive Addition
Kampf's arrival addresses two critical weaknesses for the Canucks: their league-worst penalty kill and an overreliance on star centre Elias Pettersson in the faceoff circle. Pettersson has taken the most faceoffs in the entire NHL this season, a workload the team has been eager to reduce.
According to Kampf's agent, J.P. Barry, the Canucks faced competition for the player's signature. "We received several calls the last 24 hours for his services," Barry stated in an email, highlighting that Vancouver presented the best fit. He described Kampf as "an excellent skater" who "excels on the defensive side of the game" and is "very strong on the PK."
Immediate Impact on the Lineup
The Canucks' penalty kill, currently ranked last in the NHL, is expected to be Kampf's primary area of contribution. He is projected to take a lead role in shoring up this struggling unit. Furthermore, his defensive prowess and ability in the faceoff dot will provide crucial support, allowing Pettersson to focus more on offensive production.
Kampf's integration into the lineup presents Head Coach Rick Tocchet with several options. He could slot in as the fourth-line centre, though Max Sasson has performed well in that role. A more likely scenario may see Kampf replace the struggling Lukas Reichel on the second line, which would subsequently allow Aatu Raty to move into a more prominent offensive position.
Kampf's Journey to Vancouver
Kampf's path to the Canucks follows a mutual contract termination with the Maple Leafs, where he was in the third season of a four-year, $9.6 million deal. He had not appeared in an NHL game this season but skated in four AHL contests.
The centre brings a wealth of experience from his 536 career NHL games split between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Maple Leafs. His career statistics include 48 goals and 95 assists. Last season with Toronto, he recorded five goals and 13 points in 59 games. Kampf originally entered the league as an undrafted free agent signed by Chicago in 2017.
This signing signals a clear intent from the Canucks' management to address specific, tangible weaknesses as they push for a stronger position in the league standings, providing a reliable, defensively-minded centre without a long-term financial commitment.
