3 Toronto Maple Leafs Free-Agent Targets

The Toronto Maple Leafs are going to look much different next season, not only among upper management but also on the ice. The team is loaded with free agents and while the 'core four' have been told by president Brendan Shanahan they are staying, changes are on the way to the complimentary pieces. Expect to see the Leafs active on the free-agent market and the team should have their eyes on the following players:

Carson Soucy

With Jake Muzzin likely retiring and Justin Holl hitting free agency, the Leafs will need to add a strong penalty killing defensemen to their mix and Carson Soucy is the perfect candidate. The towering blueliner stands 6-foot-5 and can use his long reach and physicality to disrupt power-play units. He played over 1:40 of ice-time shorthanded with Seattle last season and chipped in with 16 points and a plus +18 rating. Soucy also threw 143 hits and blocked 96 shots. Soucy has been linked to the Maple Leafs before, we'll see if talks intensify this summer.

Ryan Graves

Another rugged defenseman, Ryan Graves of the New Jersey Devils is going to have a number of interested suitors on the open market. He loves to use his body and block shots, ending last season with 152. Graves is an outstanding penalty killer and was second on the team in minutes played shorthanded. Like Soucy, he isn't going end-to-end anytime soon but Graves is capable of making a crisp, accurate outlet pass. The Devils will have interest re-signing the 27-year-old but if he hits free agency July 1, look for the Leafs to go calling.

Sean Monahan

With Ryan O'Reilly potentially heading back to St Louis there's going to be a need for another center in Toronto. Lots of talk about John Tavares being moved to the wing on a permanent basis and the Leafs could pull this off by adding Sean Monahan down the middle. He'd be a nice compliment at the two hole and could play alongside Tavares and William Nylander and produce. Funny thing is ex-Calgary Flame GM Brad Treliving is in the hunt for the Maple Leafs GM position and has a long history, good and bad with Monahan. Certainly something to watch this summer as the Toronto native is expected to have interest in signing with his hometown team. With the Canadiens, the 28-year-old center finished with 17 points in 25 games and is expected to be fully healthy to start next season.

Photo credit:   David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports