After another disappointing Toronto Maple Leafs playoff loss, it's time to break up the core four forwards and that might mean moving on from Mitch Marner, who becomes a free agent at the end of the 2024-25 season. Toronto Maple Leafs forward David Kampf and host nation Czechia continue to turn heads at the Men’s World Hockey Championship. In dominating fashion, Czechia defeated Austria 4-0 on Friday, controlling the pace of play from start to finish – outshooting their opponents 30-21 through the full 60 minutes. The Czechs improved to 3-1-1-0, retaking first place in Group ‘A’. In the preliminary round, the three-way race between Czechia, Canada, and Switzerland has continued to circulate between first, second, and third placements in the Group ‘A’ leaderboard – with no clear-cut leader emerging amongst the rest. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0D9gq_5SdLs[/embed] Former Maple Leaf Ondrej Kase opened the scoring for Czechia, scoring a nifty goal with 0:27 remaining in the first period when he was awarded a penalty shot as a result of a hook from Austria defenseman Clemens Unterweger – giving Czechia the early lead. Scoring twice in the last five minutes of the second period to make it a 3-0 game, Czechia would stretch the lead to 4-0 just 1:31 into the final frame, essentially putting the nail in the coffin – not looking back from there. Even though Kampf did not find himself on the scoresheet Friday, he was overly productive in other areas of the ice. In 13:31 of total ice time, Kampf registered a shot on goal while embracing penalty-killing duties, yet again slotting in on the top unit – a contributing factor in the team killing off all six penalty minutes obtained. Contributing two primary assists in Czechia’s 7-4 victory over Denmark on Wednesday [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/maple-leafs-david-kampf-tacks-on-two-primary-assists-in-czechias-7-4-victory-at-mens-world-hockey-championship], he is still producing at a near point-per-game pace, totaling four assists in five contests. For a team with an absence of big-name NHLers on the roster, Czechia has still managed to find a way to win while stacking on the second most goals in Group ‘A’ with 19 through five games – only second to Canada (20). More help is on the way; Czechia is getting a boost on offense. The Czechs are adding a top-caliber forward with the medal round right around the corner. In a quick turnaround, centerman Martin Necas of the Carolina Hurricanes is set to join Czechia on Saturday after a Game 6 loss to the New York Rangers in the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Thursday. Czechia will look to pick up from where they left off when they face Great Britain on Saturday at 2:20 p.m. ET. Great Britain remains the only team in the tournament to not record a single point in preliminary round action – a glorious chance to capitalize for Czechia at this stage of the tournament. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNTk1MTUxMDE2NDM2ODQ0/cf1808c0-6a82-4298-9049-3eb2eae105b0.jpg] Related Reports: Craig Berube in 'Process of Becoming' Maple Leafs' Next Head Coach, Announcement Could Come 'As Early As Tuesday' [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/reports-craig-berube-in-process-of-becoming-maple-leafs-next-head-coach-announcement-could-come-as-early-as-tuesday] Report: Gerard Gallant Believed to Have Spoken to Maple Leafs About Head Coaching Position, Craig Berube Still the Front-Runner [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/report-gerard-gallant-believed-to-have-spoken-to-maple-leafs-about-head-coaching-position-craig-berube-still-the-front-runner] Pontus Holmberg and Swedes Stay Flawless, John Tavares and Canada Earn Another Regulation Win; Maple Leafs’ Day 7 Recap at World Hockey Championship [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/pontus-holmberg-and-swedes-stay-flawless-john-tavares-and-canada-earn-another-regulation-win-maple-leafs-day-7-recap-at-world-hockey-championship] News from THN.com Bruins' Brad Marchand Says the Quiet Part Out Loud About Playoff Hockey [https://thehockeynews.com/news/bruins-brad-marchand-says-the-quiet-part-out-loud-about-playoff-hockey] Connor Ingram Wins NHL's 2024 Bill Masterton Trophy [https://thehockeynews.com/news/connor-ingram-wins-nhls-2024-bill-masterton-trophy] Archive: As 19-Year-Old Maple Leafs Rookie, Ellis Wowed Toronto Teammates And Opponents [https://thehockeynews.com/news/archive-as-19-year-old-maple-leafs-rookie-ellis-wowed-toronto-teammates-and-opponents]
