There is some light at the end of the tunnel for idle David Kampf.

Headed nowhere with the Maple Leafs, who demoted him after training camp, then suspended him when he wouldn’t join the American Hockey League Toronto Marlies on a road trip, Kampf has signed a one-year deal with the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday for $1.1 million US.

On Friday, the 30-year-old Czech centre passed through waivers for the purpose of the Leafs terminating his contract. That was a four-year pact with an AAV of $2.4 million by Toronto general manager Brad Treliving from 2023. It seemed excessive for a fourth-line centre at the time and when Kampf was used in just one game by new coach Craig Berube in last year’s playoffs, it put the Leafs and Kampf in an awkward position trying to trade him.

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Kampf was further marginalized when Toronto traded for centres Scott Laughton and Nicolas Roy since last March. The Leafs have since lost Laughton and centre Auston Matthews to injuries 

Kampf has managed 143 points in 536 National Hockey League games and seven in playoff action after four years with the Chicago Blackhawks and another four in Toronto. With no trade imminent after four games on the farm, Kampf decided to stay home and contemplate his future until the Leafs decided on the termination. Like the Leafs, the Canucks are trying to correct early-season reversals and the 6-foot-2 Kampf has always been considered a useful faceoff specialist at 5-on-5 and the penalty kill. 

lhornby@postmedia.com

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