Toronto Maple Leafs forward finally returns from injury and is back in the lineup
The Toronto Maple Leafs received a crucial boost in their line up with the return of David Kämpf to practice.
As reported by Hockey Patrol, this is marking another reinforcement for a team that recently welcomed back Auston Matthews, Max Domi, Max Pacioretty, Bobby McMann and Jake McCabe.
David Kämpf doesn't grab headlines but contributes valuable defensive skills, faceoff proficiency and the grit Craig Berube favors in his team.
After nearly a month sidelined with lower-body injury, David Kämpf is returning to his usual spot centering Steven Lorentz and Ryan Reaves.
His return coincides with Fraser Minten's demotion in the AHL which is freeing up both cap space and a roster spot.
Toronto will welcome his defensive stability and penalty-killing expertise as they prepare for a challenging matchup against the Dallas Stars on Wednesday.
So far this season, David Kämpf has registered two assists in 18 games, but while his offensive contributions are not so good, his defensive presence and reliability are well welcomed.
His ability to anchor the fourth line provides the Maple Leafs with a consistent, shutdown option in critical situations.
Defensively, Toronto's lineup also saw a shift since Morgan Rielly moved to the second pairing, while the shutdown duo of Chris Tanev and Jake McCabe took over top-pairing duties.
These adjustments aim to solidify Toronto's defense against a pretty good Dallas team who is currently third in the Central Division.
As December has began, Kämpf's return is well-timed for the Leafs since his defensive stability will be critical in maintaining structure and containing high-powered offenses.
If Toronto can capitalize on these returns and solidify their lineup, it could set the stage for sustained success in the weeks ahead.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 17 | 246 ANSWERS Toronto Maple Leafs forward finally returns from injury and is back in the lineup Do you think the Toronto Maple Leafs are better with or without David Kampf? | ||
| Better | 143 | 58.1 % |
| Not Better | 103 | 41.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
