The Washington Capitals could see David Kampf finally make his NHL debut at some point this week.
Kampf, who was acquired at the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline, has yet to play a game for Washington due to ongoing complications with immigration and then returning to Vancouver to be with his wife for the birth of their second child.
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The Czech forward and his wife welcomed a baby girl, Isabella, back on Thursday, and since then, his visa issues have also been resolved and he’s cleared to play.
Per coach Spencer Carbery, the original plan was for Kampf to join the Capitals on their upcoming three-game road trip out west, with Kampf set to meet the team on the road at some point. It’s unclear exactly when that’ll be though, but his debut seems likely within the next few games.
Washington flew to St. Louis on Monday and faces the Blues on Tuesday. If Kampf is back and ready to play, that could mark his debut with the team.
Kampf’s addition is welcome for the Capitals, who saw Ethen Frank go down with a lower-body injury early on in Sunday’s loss to the Colorado Avalanche. The 31-year-old center is a versatile, defensive-minded player who can kill penalties and prides himself on playing a smart, 200-foot game.
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If Kampf isn’t back in time for the start of the road trip, that leaves Ivan Miroshnichenko as Washington’s only other healthy extra forward on the roster. He has been up with D.C. since the trade deadline and has been a healthy scratch for the last eight games.