The summer has begun for all of the National Hockey League players, but certainly not the personnel. Everyone in the business is gearing up for the 2016 NHL Draft and the ever so intense Free Agency bonanza that follows suit.

There is no free agent more sought after than Steven Stamkos. He leads the top of the crop, and certainly the top of the Leafs list as the 26 year old is the most wanted free agent since the Great One, Wayne Gretzky.

Stamkos is an instant game changer for any team, the Leafs included. He brings elements to the table that no other player in the organization can, especially leadership which the Maple Leafs lack after gutting the roster. Stamkos is still young and in his prime years, on top of that he is a fitness nut, and you can be sure he has plenty of quality years ahead. Certainly more than seven which would be the maximum number of years Toronto could sign him for.

Babcock would be licking his chops if he can inject Stamkos into the lineup each night, what an absolutely enormous and glorious piece he would be to add to the Maple Leafs roster for nothing but salary dollars. Stamkos was picked first overall in 2006 and the Markham born sniper would have some company with Marner as the two of them would really put Markham on the map. Could Marner be the next Marty St Louis for Stamkos?

Toronto’s forward crop is quite solid, as we know they could use some help on the defensive end but especially in goal where Bernier has been too soft to rely on. James Reimer I’ve always been a fan of, and is likely the best goalie free agent available this off season. With that being said, I think the Leafs should look through trade to find their future number one.

Before I zero in on a couple goalies I see to be the best fit, I want to mention a few free agent defensemen who could be worth adding to the roster. The UFA’s that tickle my fancy include:

Jason Demers – The right handed defenseman spent a good chunk of his career playing for the San Jose Sharks, and has played for Dallas the last two seasons. Demers has missed 20 games in each of the last two seasons, but has put up 23 point seasons in both campaigns and is a rather tough defensemen who can find himself in the penalty box more often than coaches would like, but that’s part of his game, he’s a feisty one. He’s only 28 years of age, but has seven NHL seasons under his belt and 423 regular season games and 52 playoff games.

Alex Goligoski – Goligoski is a lefty and has plenty of experience in the NHL between Pittsburgh and Dallas. The 30 year old is certainly capable of handling big minutes and able to put up 30-40 points a season. He’s only missed two games in the last three seasons and doesn’t find himself in the penalty box nearly as often as Demers. Goligoski may cost in the neighbourhood of 45-5 million, but there are not a lot of top pairing defensemen readily available these days. (Arizona has acquired Goligoski’s rights).

Kyle Quincey – If anyone knows what Quincey has in his game, it’s Mike Babcock. Quincey spent a decent chunk of last season paired with Danny DeKeyser on Detroit’s top pairing defense. He’s not nearly as offensive as either Goligoski or Demers, but that may be more of what Toronto is looking for, as they already have a number of offensive type defensemen. It may hurt having to pay Quincey more than four million dollars to put up less than 20 points, but someone is going to and I’m happy Toronto has the luxury of Babcock coaching Quincey, knowing if he’s worth perusing or not.

Goalies:

Toronto must get themselves a better goalie, if you don’t agree with me just look at Babcock’s face throughout the season after Bernier let’s in another stinker. There are a few options, some make more sense than others, here is who I think the Leafs should pay the piper and get before someone else does:

Frederik Andersen/John Gibson: It’s been months of me pushing the envelope with Andersen, and I will continue to do so until the Leafs scoop him up or someone else does. As a restricted free agent (RFA) heading into this season Andersen has all the tools and size to become a powerhouse of a starting goalie in the NHL. He’s already done so for Anaheim as they juggle their goalie options having another stud in John Gibson. Gibson is signed for three more seasons at a very cheap rate and will still be an RFA after those years are up. It’s without a doubt in my mind that Andresen is going to be traded this off season, unless of course Anaheim wants to roll the dice heading into the expansion draft.

Anaheim’s goalie prospect Matt Hackett is working on his game and could be a viable option for the Ducks down the road.

What Anaheim needs desperately is some quality young offensive players, they really don’t have many, at least compared to the gluten of quality defensemen they have on their NHL team. Bieksa may have been a mistake for them to sign as he still has two years left at 4 million. Fowler is still a great defenseman and has a couple years left at four million as well. Stoner has two years left at 3.25 and Despres has 5 years at 3.7 million. Vatanen is an RFA as well as Lindholm, and they are both incredible young defensemen who are going to cost a pretty penny. There is just too much money tied up in all of these defensemen and someone is going to have to be let go.

What I’m really hoping Lamoriello can do is pluck away Andersen and one of Fowler, Vatanen or Lindholm in a blockbuster trade. Toronto has a lot of offensive talent, perhaps enough that they could spare some in exchange for a top 4 defenseman as well as Toronto’s number one goalie. The old two birds in one stone mentality here would be huge for the Leafs and us fans.

Ben Bishop/Andrei Vasilevskiy: With Bishop already making 5.95 million a season, his next contract may push him as high as 7. Tampa Bay still has the net minder locked in for another season, as well as Vasilevskiy. This leads me to believe Tampa Bay holds all the cards, as they may want to wait until the end of the season, or next off season before they decide what to do in net.

Bishop is 29 years of age and 6’7” and Vasilevskiy is 21 years old coming in at 6’3”. Both solid framed big bodies that cover a good chunk of the net by simply cutting down angles. Bishop has proven he is a great goalie and a true number one that can be heavily relied on. Bishop has played 63, 62 and 61 games in the last three seasons posting .924, .916 and .926 save percent. He m ay be a couple years older than the perfect fit for the Leafs, but certainly close enough for my liking.

If by chance Steve Yzerman decides to keep Bishop, that will make Vasilevskiy expandable and the Leafs should take a stab at trading for the young goalie as he has a lot of upside and already some NHL experience.

Darcy Kuemper: Going off the radar a bit with Kuemper as he is an RFA, and a good one at that. He’s behind Dubnyk who is signed until 2021 and has been impressive when he gets the chance to prove his worth. The Saskatoon born Canadian is only 26 years of age and is a big body at 6’5”. Personally I think the Leafs could get him for a relatively cheap price compared to some of the other goalies on the market who may be available through trade.

Minnesota is tight to the cap heading into the season as it is, with Dumba and Zucker as RFA’s they are going to have to dish out some coin. If the Leafs wanted to move some of their young cheaper contract players to Minnesota in exchange for Kuemper, there may be a deal that works for both.

If you are wondering where Fleury is, he’s not on my radar. He’s a good goalie, but not the right fit for the Leafs at this time from where we are in the rebuilding process. He has three years left on his contract at 5.75 million per, and I just don’t see Toronto investing in those three years of Fleury unless they are prepared for a playoff run.

My thoughts are the Leafs groom a goalie with the team for a couple of seasons, and together they push forward into a powerhouse team. By the time the team is ready to push for a deep Cup run, everyone is on the same page up and down the lineup.

Ink in June 24th on your calendar; it will be a great moment when every Maple Leafs fan watches Auston Matthews put on the Maple Leafs jersey for the first time.

Thanks for reading!

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