The Toronto Maple Leafs are coming off a rather impressive season, after qualifying for the NHL playoffs they pushed Eastern Conference champion Boston Bruins to 7 games. Despite the loss Toronto will be looking to improve their team and take another step towards becoming a Stanley Cup contender.

If the 2013 NHL playoffs exposed anything it was that Toronto was in need of another top 4 defenseman. Jake Gardiner proved himself to be a true NHL D man with first pairing potential but it still developing, and the addition of a top 4 defenseman should help the team matchup better in the playoffs.

The Leafs D during the 2013 season had stints from:

Dion Phaneuf – Carl Gunnarsson

Cody Franson – Jake Gardiner

Mark Fraser – Ryan O’Byrne

John Michael Liles – Mike Kostka

Korbinian Holzer

*Bold names were active defenseman for majority of season

Despite Toronto having a surplus of defenseman they truly lacked a veteran presence who could help take some pressure off of Phaneuf on the ice and help provide leadership off of it.

Mike Kostka has shown the ability to take a regular shift in the NHL yet he projects to be a bottom pairing defenseman with above average offensive game. Whether he gets his shot in Toronto or elsewhere remains to be seen. John Michael Liles remains trade bait and with the emergence of Jake Gardiner could be an amnesty buyout candidate this summer.

Some notable defenseman that are heading to unrestricted free agency on July 5th include:

Ron Hainsey, 32 years old – Winnipeg Jets

Hainsey has spent the past two seasons with the Jets and had 0 goals, 13 assists in 47 games in 2013, while averaging 22:13 per game. While Hainsey’s offensive game has dipped ever since his 3 straight seasons of 30 + points (2006-09) he can still provide a steady defensive presence while playing 20+ minutes a night. Hainsey has good size (6ft 3 210lbs) and would fit on the Maple Leafs playing under Randy Carlyle’s physical type of game.

Mark Streit – New York Islanders

Striet has captained the New York Islanders to their first playoff berth since 2007, yet shortly after their season ended he announced he was going to test the free agent market. Streit has great puck moving prowess and has been a capable powerplay quarterback.

Prior to the lockout shortened season Streit had compiled 4 straight seasons of points between 47-62 points. At age 35 Streit would not require a long-term financial commitment, leaving the Leafs the option of a 1yr contract and leaving cap space for when Kessel and Phaneuf hit free agency in 2014.

Douglas Murray – Pittsburgh Penguins

Douglas Murray is a hard nosed defenseman and plays a very physical type of game and is one of the hardest players to knock off the puck. Murray has great size at 6ft 3 245lbs and averages around 18 minutes a night. Murray is not one to produce offensively, peaking at 17 points in 79 games (2009-10) but is an asset on the penalty kill and clears the crease effectively. Most importantly he fits the Randy Carlyle mold of big strong physical player who is not afraid to block shots and throw his body around.

The pickings are slim for top defenseman in this year’s free agent class and if the Leafs are looking for a top pairing defenseman they will need to explore their options through trade. Though they have some great defensive prospects that are up and coming in their system, they need a top 4 defenseman for the upcoming season if they want to advance far in the playoffs in 2014.