The Toronto Maple Leafs welcomed back David Kampf to the lineup, after missing 12 games with a lower-body injury. Kampf needs to hit the ground running, or there’s some potential he could be a trade candidate.

Kampf’s return in Dallas on Wednesday against the Stars wasn’t anything to write home about, but it also wasn’t a performance he should be ridiculed for. It showed early and often that he was a step behind, as it’s never easy to jump into an NHL lineup after you haven’t played in over a month. Kampf finished the night playing just under 14 minutes of ice time, including 3:18 on the penalty kill. The Stars went 0-for-4 on the man advantage, and after Wednesday’s action, the Maple Leafs are now ranked 7th in the league on the penalty kill. Helping the Leafs shorthanded, is one way Kampf can stick in Craig Berube’s lineup.

When Kampf missed over a month due to his injury, the Maple Leafs recalled one of their top prospects in 20-year-old Fraser Minten, and Minten’s performance put him on the radar. He wasn’t overwhelmed with the assignments, or the pace of play, and was able to make an impact throughout his 11 games, with two goals and four points. The former second-round pick showed off his smarts, and how much attention he pays to the fine details of defensive-minded hockey. Minten proved he’s ready for the NHL, the only problem is Kampf’s in the way.

So far this season, Kampf has three assists in 19 games and has yet to put one past the goalie. He does a great job in the faceoff circle and ranks second to Mitch Marner for minutes played by Leafs’ forwards shorthanded. It’s become obvious the only way he’s going to have an impact on this team is by being the shut-down centre for the fourth line, and an integral part of the penalty kill. At $2.4 million AAV through the 2026-27 season, though, is he worth it?

With Minten ready to insert himself on a full-time basis, and with the recent flurry of production from Max Domi, Kampf is on the radar as someone who could quickly become a trade candidate. Minten carries just a $816,666 cap hit, so there’s a little bit of financial flexibility that would come with the switch, allowing for GM Brad Treliving to re-allocate resources, and add another defenseman. Along with Kampf, Simon Benoit and Conor Timmins should be players the team is looking to upgrade before the March 7 trade deadline.

With the NHL’s holiday roster freeze upon us, don’t expect any moves any time soon. It’s likely Treliving will give Kampf a few weeks to get his legs back under him, which will give the Leafs’ GM a chance to evaluate his impact.

With several reports throughout the past few weeks that the Leafs could be in the market for centre depth, that doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t have current any options down the middle – it has more to do with making upgrades. But, if Domi is producing in the three-hole and Minten’s ready for the fourth line, why not consider moving Kampf for more depth on the blue line?

Treliving has a lot to think about heading into the new year, and moving Kampf is something he should be pondering.