David Kampf didn’t see the benching coming.
Kampf had played in 323 consecutive games with the Chicago Blackhawks and Toronto. It was the first game Kampf missed since 2018-19 with Chicago.
“I was surprised and I didn’t expect it,” Kampf said. “I came in wanting to be ready for the game, but I got a message from (coach) Sheldon (Keefe) that I’m out. I’ll keep working hard and be better.”
Kampf will return to his regular spot on Tuesday, centring the fourth line when the Leafs visit the Los Angeles Kings. Pontus Holmberg, who played in Kampf’s spot against Carolina, did not practise on Monday.
What does Keefe hope that Kampf takes from being a healthy scratch?
“The urgency that we need him to have and understanding how important his role is, just like it has been,” Keefe said. “It’s a bit of a reset. He has played good hockey in the last month or so, but the other night (on Friday against Columbus, when Kampf played some careless hockey), was a bit of a step back toward some of the issues that I was having with him early in the season. We need him to be better and he will be.”
Winger Ryan Reaves practised for the first time since suffering an injury on Dec. 14 against Columbus. He has missed seven games with a left kneecap issue that has been a problem for him previously.
While Reaves was optimistic he could return to the lineup in the coming days, Keefe said Reaves “is not quite there yet.”