Toronto Maple Leafs' Top 5 Offseason Priorities

While the NHL's best teams are currently battling for the Stanley Cup, teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs are focused on next season.

There is a lot of work to do in Toronto this offseason. As it stands, the club has no permanent general manager or head coach, as Dave Nonis and Peter Horachek were fired in early April.

The team has to upgrade its personnel significantly. It's never easy to do this quickly, so expectations should be tempered for diehard Leafs fans for at least the next season—if not longer.

It's a bitter pill to swallow for the most loyal fans, but if things are done right, the team could be a playoff contender in another season or two.

Let's take a look at the Leafs' top five offseason priorities.

5. Rid the Team of at Least 1 Large Contract

Joe Mahoney/Associated Press

The Maple Leafs are saddled with some big contracts. While defenseman Dion Phaneuf and forward Phil Kessel have been key players for the Leafs, the team has had little to no success with them as the big-money players.

Phaneuf's $7 million salary-cap hit runs through 2020-21, whereas Kessel's $8 million cap hit won't come off the books until the end of the 2021-22 season.

The Leafs have to make every attempt to move at least one—if not both—of these players. Phaneuf is likely the more attractive of the two, but every NHL team can use more scoring. Kessel can certainly provide that.

Phaneuf could be a very good No. 2 defender on a better team. On an exceptional defensive team like the Nashville Predators, he would be a second-pairing defender.

Kessel would benefit from playing with an upper-echelon playmaker. It will be difficult to find a fit for either player, but this should be a priority.

Otherwise, the team needs to add a true No. 1 centre if it won't commit to Nazem Kadri in that role.

4. Find an Experienced Coach

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

The Maple Leafs are currently without a general manager or coach. While both positions are priorities, the team does have co-interim GMs (Mark Hunter and Kyle Dubas) in place, pending the hiring of someone full-time.

If the club doesn't hire or name a full-time GM soon, the focus will need to turn to a coach. The issue, of course, is that a GM always wants to get his pick for bench boss rather than inherit someone.

Possible experienced coaching candidates include Dan Bylsma, Todd McLellan and Paul MacLean. Current Detroit Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock could be another very attractive option if he doesn't return to Detroit.

A teacher and leader will be required, as the Leafs will be a young and relatively inexperienced club moving forward.

3. Hire a Bright and Progressive-Minded General Manager

Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Maple Leafs organization must focus on the future. While there are a number of experienced general managers ready to be hired, the Leafs should be creative in the choice for GM. Youth or inexperience should not automatically exclude a candidate.

Babcock may or may not become available following the end of the season. He hasn't been an NHL GM, but he's bright, calculating and a learner. He'd be a strong GM.

Jason Botterill and Sean Burke don't have GM experience and don't have direct ties to the organization. Both of these potential candidates would each bring a fresh viewpoint to the position.

Dubas should also not be ruled out.

While another person might have to be brought in to aid the management team if one of the more inexperienced people is chosen, that is just fine. Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment can afford it.

Single-mindedness and working in isolation don't work in today's NHL. The best teams all employ several thinkers in upper management, and the Leafs need to do the same.

2. Choose a Centre in the NHL Entry Draft

The Leafs will choose in the No. 4 spot in the NHL entry draft this summer. They will not be getting Erie Otters phenom Connor McDavid here.

They also won't get Boston University star forward Jack Eichel at this spot. Conceivably, they could also miss out on fellow Otter Dylan Strome at No. 4. They must do everything in their power to find out whom these other teams will be selecting.

Barring that, they need to conceive a plan to move up in the draft order. If they can switch with the Buffalo Sabres at No. 2, that would be best, as the Edmonton Oilers will not be moving the No. 1 pick with such a franchise-altering prospect in McDavid available.

The Sabres need to get better quickly and the Leafs could offer a package of a good veteran player and the No. 4 pick for the No. 2 pick. The Leafs must get a top-six centre—ideally a No. 1 centre.

Eichel has the potential to be a dominant first-line centre.

If they can't pry that pick from Buffalo, the focus should turn to Arizona and securing Strome with the No. 3 selection. While London Knights forward Mitchell Marner should be available at No. 4, he's going to be challenged to play the centre-ice position. Strome makes more sense given the roster's needs.

Securing either Strome or Eichel should be a top priority for the Leafs.

1. Upgrade the Team's Defensive-Minded Personnel

Michael Dwyer/Associated Press

The Toronto Maple Leafs were the fifth-worst defensive team in the NHL based on goals against in 2014-15.

There were several contributing factors to this, including personnel, injuries and a poor system. The team needs to add at least one or two defensive forwards, at least one more defensive defenceman and, most importantly, a head coach who will implement a basic defensive system that the players can embrace quickly.

Defensive play is more about will than skill. It isn't exciting to practice and most players would rather focus on offensive play.

The team will not win until the commitment to defence improves. Defensive play must be an offseason priority. Any immediate or long-term success hinges on this.

Contract information courtesy of Spotrac.