The Toronto Maple Leafs have five defensemen signed to the main roster for next season.
General manager Brad Treliving needs to fill at least two defense spots this off-season, probably more.
Whether he fills those spots through free agency or by calling up defense prospects, we will have to wait and see. His top priority right now is finding the Leafs a new head coach.
The Toronto Maple Leafs will have plenty of free-agent options this summer. There is a good mix of offensive, puck-moving defensemen and some hard-hitting defensive defensemen. Brad Treliving could target one of each. Fans shouldn't be surprised if Treliving targets defensemen he already knows.
Let's hope Treliving lands a better defenseman than John Klingberg, who he acquired last summer. The Klingberg signing turned out to be a disaster. Klingberg only helped the team by allowing them to use his salary on long-term injury reserve (LTIR). Treliving needs to hit the jackpot this summer to help ease the pain from last season.
Depending on how the free-agent market is come July 1st, the Leafs might be able to only land one free-agent defenseman of his choice. If that is indeed the case, Treliving has a couple of options from the Marlies he could look at.
It will all depend on what exactly the Leafs are looking for. Hopefully, the Leafs will have hired their new head coach before free agency starts. The new coach's input will surely be helpful in making those player decisions.