The Toronto Maple Leafs will be targeting the defenseman market during free agency this summer, with three players in particular.
When you think of the Toronto Maple Leafs needs, defense is their number-one priority. Although, you could argue that secondary scoring and goaltending should be the primary help, the easiest way to improve this team is by signing a few marquee defenseman via free agency.
Acquiring a number-one goalie is still a necessary need, but that's a lot harder than signing a few defenseman. There are just not any top goalies available in free agency right now that in order to acquire one, they'd have to trade for them. As such, adding defenseman is the easiest way to improve this team tomorrow, as they don't have to give up anything to get them.
All they have to do is write a cheque and convince them to join the Leafs and the team will improve drastically by adding three defenseman.
The Leafs currently have the NHL's longest playoff streak, reaching the post-season eight years in a row, yet it feels like they need a huge change.
Instead, the Leafs are legitimatally one or two moves away and a lucky break from reaching the Stanley Cup Finals. If Joseph Woll is healthy and Auston Matthews scores one more goal in a playoff series, this team can beat anyone. They've unfortunately fallen apart in Game 7's and it hasn't worked out, but it doesn't mean it never will.
Here are three UFA defenseman that the Toronto Maple Leafs need to sign this offseason.