NHL Clubs Attempting to Bully Maple Leafs Into Surrendering Assets to Move Depth Forwards

With Toronto Maple Leafs training camp winding down and the roster beginning to take shape, it's clear a few familiar faces may not be around much longer. For years, players like Calle Jarnkrok and David Kampf have carved out meaningful roles in Toronto, but this preseason has shifted the picture.

Younger, faster talent -- most notably Easton Cowan -- appear to be pushing for roster spots. Cowan fits the Craig Berube style better, leaving the veterans on the outside looking in.

As a result, reports indicate the Leafs have been actively shopping both Järnkrok and Kämpf. The challenge? Rival GMs know the Leafs' situation and are in no rush to give up any meaningful assets, essentially daring Toronto to put these players on waivers.

Elliotte Friedman noted that teams are kind of forcing the Leafs into giving them away for nothing or putting them on waivers. So it could come down to giving them up for nothing rather than paying someone to take them, as we have seen happen so many times.

It's a tricky situation, because neither player is without value. Kämpf remains a steady two-way center who could strengthen a lot of bottom-six groups, while Järnkrok's versatility and consistent production make him an underrated depth option. For Toronto, though, the cap crunch and Berube's new-look lineup might force their hand.

In the NHL, the gap between contenders and pretenders is razor-thin. Teams are always looking to add players for cheap, and if Toronto can't find a deal, they risk losing proven players for free.