With the new CBA and playoff salary cap coming into play faster than expected, the Toronto Maple Leafs have some tricky decisions ahead. Depth guys like Calle Järnkrok and David Kämpf aren’t flashy stars, but they’re reliable and valuable—especially if injuries hit. The question is how to handle their contracts without tying the team down.
Reasons for Keeping Calle Järnkrok: He’s Flexible and Reliable
Järnkrok can play up and down the lineup without making mistakes, which makes him handy. He’s not the kind of player teams typically buy out for huge savings, either. A buyout would drop his cap hit a little next season, but he’d still carry over some cap space the year after. If the Maple Leafs put him on waivers and he clears, they’d only have $950,000 on the books this season—a bigger immediate savings—and he’d still be around if injuries strike.
Reason’s for Keeping David Kämpf: He’s Steady and Useful
Kämpf is solid defensively and knows the system inside out. With two years left at $2.4 million per season, a buyout would leave dead money on the books for a few years. If he clears waivers and goes to the Marlies, the Maple Leafs cut his cap hit to $1.25 million a year and avoid any long-term penalties. Plus, he can help younger Marlies players get used to the Maple Leafs’ system and be ready for a call-up if needed.
Why Waivers Make Sense for Both Järnkrok and Kämpf
The waiver route keeps both players in the system, saves money right away, and gives the Maple Leafs flexibility if someone gets hurt. It’s cleaner than a buyout and keeps depth close to home—both financially and strategically.
Waivers let the Leafs save cap space without losing useful players. Järnkrok and Kämpf might not be stars, but they’re steady, versatile, and ready to jump in when needed. In a tighter cap world, that kind of flexibility is worth a lot.
