NHL trade rumors: Top insider Darren Dreger names $9.6M Maple Leafs forward & Calle Jarnkrok as prime trade candidates

By Anjum Rajonno

Modified Oct 06, 2024 11:38 GMT

The Toronto Maple Leafs need quick moves to manage their salary cap before the new season starts. It means at least a couple of names will be traded away in the coming days, according to TSN’s Darren Dreger.

During his appearance on TSN 1050, Dreger talked about how Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving may consider trading depth forwards Calle Jarnkrok and David Kampf to help manage the team's salary cap.

“So to comply with the cap, who are we looking at? I’m looking at guys like Jarnkrok, and maybe David Kampf,” Dreger said.

The Insider mentioned that Jarnkrok has some reliability issues when he’s unavailable due to injuries. Dreger suggested that a fresh start with a new team might benefit him.

“They’re decent players. There’s a reliability concern for me when I look at Jarnkrok. I mean if he’s not available, then he’s not helping you. But, he’s been around the National Hockey League long enough that I think you could find a fresh start for him, a new home for him.”

Jarnkrok has two years remaining on his contract with a $2.1 million annual cap hit and a no-trade clause that allows him to block trades to 10 teams.

As for Kampf, Dreger described him as a solid, safe fourth-line center who always gives his best effort and has better chances of staying in Toronto. Kampf is on a four-year deal with a $2.4 million average annual value (AAV), $9,6 million guaranteed, signed in June 2023.

“He gives you everything he has and Berube might love that,” he added.

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Darren Dreger weighs on Nick Robertson trade saga

The TSN analyst also discussed Nick Robertson’s future with the Maple Leafs, saying that the media hasn’t been fair with trade speculations around Robertson during training camp.

Dreger feels that because of Robertson’s affordable salary and his potential as a scorer, he could be a valuable secondary scoring option for the Leafs.

“So, I’m just saying, we keep looking collectively as a media at Nick Robertson being the obvious guy who’s going to get pushed out, and I don’t think that’s fair,” Dreger said. “He’s actually had a really good camp. We’re so quick to look at Robertson because he wanted out, and he did, until he didn’t.”

Despite initially requesting a trade, Robertson signed a one-year deal worth $875,000 with the Leafs. After Saturday’s preseason game against the Canadiens, Robertson expressed his satisfaction saying that he is focused on building his confidence and improving his chemistry with his linemates.

In his last two preseason games, Robertson has been brilliant, scoring three goals with four shots on goal, blocking two shots, and delivering two hits.