Capitals acquire David Kampf from Canucks for draft pick
The Washington Capitals have acquired center David Kampf from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for a sixth-round pick, as first reported by TSN insider Darren Dreger.
TRADE‼️ To WSH - David Kampf (C) 🔁 To VAN - 6th Round Pick [per @DarrenDreger]
At this point in time, which sixth-round pick the Canucks will be receiving has not been confirmed. The Capitals are only without their 2027 sixth-round pick, as it was part of the package they gave the Florida Panthers to acquire winger Justin Sourdif.
Kampf was a likely candidate to be moved at the deadline, as his pending unrestricted free agent status meant the Canucks were looking to move on from him to get assets instead of walking him to free agency, especially with the team well out of the playoff picture.
However, it is a surprise to see Kampf moved over some other players on the Canucks’ trade block, including Teddy Blueger, Evander Kane, Drew O’Connor and Elias Pettersson, although they have also moved on from Conor Garland, Tyler Myers, Kiefer Sherwood and most notably Quinn Hughes this season.
In Kampf, the Capitals get a high-end defensive center who can play in relatively tough competition, although his skillset hasn’t translated to the penalty kill in recent seasons. In the last two seasons, Kampf’s -0.167 5v5 regularized adjusted plus-minus expected goals against per 60 minutes over the last two seasons is 8th among forwards with 1,000 minutes played.
However, what Kampf doesn’t provide as much is an offensive touch, as he has just two goals and four assists for six points in 38 games played. That puts him on pace for nine points, which would be the first season he finished below 10 points in his career.
Kampf initially started the season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, but did not make the team out of training camp and was sent to the Toronto Marlies. However, Kampf had no interest in playing in the minor leagues, having not reported to the team at points and only playing four games before he opted to terminate his four-year, $2.4 million AAV deal to find an NHL role elsewhere. He then signed with the Canucks to a one-year, $1.1 million contract.