3 Restricted Free Agents the Toronto Maple Leafs Should Target

The Toronto Maple Leafs are more than one or two players away from being a serious playoff contender in coming seasons. Frankly, fans should focus on 2016-17 rather than this upcoming season, as the club will be hard-pressed to be competitive next season.

Young players like Morgan Rielly must be nurtured, and players like Nazem Kadri and Jake Gardiner deserve more time to continue in their development. Younger players like Josh Leivo and Frederik Gauthier are going to be knocking on the door to get regular NHL duty soon, but patience must be the order of the day for the entire organization.

Complicating the improvement process is the fact that the Leafs do not have a lot of salary-cap space unless some players and contracts are moved. Decisions must be made on aging veterans like Joffrey Lupul, Dion Phaneuf and Phil Kessel. Deciding to move them and actually doing it are, of course, two different things.

There are some younger restricted free agents on other NHL teams who may be eligible to have offer sheets made this summer. The Leafs may be in a position to do this if they can gain some salary-cap room in the next few months.

The key is to address some real needs in making some aggressive offers. Given the age of restricted free agents, it is an opportunity to add some talented, younger players who have proven themselves to a degree.

Unless you've been living under a rock as a hockey fan, the biggest needs in Toronto are two-way forwards with size and defensively responsible rearguards who can chip in offensively. The team cannot defend, as the Leafs were one of six NHL teams to give up more than three goals against on a per-game basis in 2014-15.  

At issue is that most middling to poor teams are in need of similar players. Nevertheless, here are three restricted free agents who the Leafs should seriously consider if they are not under contract when the opportunity arises to make offers.

Dougie Hamilton, Defenceman, Boston Bruins

Dougie Hamilton is on the cusp of being not just a good NHL defender, but a bona fide No. 1 with Norris Trophy potential. Boston will (or at least should) do everything it can to retain him, but it might be worth a shot for the Leafs.

The Toronto, Ontario, native would be coming home, and he has the smarts and the demeanour to make it work in Toronto. He had 72 points in his best year in the OHL, and he's demonstrated steady progression at the NHL level. He went from 16 points in his first year to 42 points in 2014-15.

He's begun to play tough minutes in Boston and is plus-23 in his three NHL seasons. He'd be a great addition in Toronto and would fit in well at just 21 years old.

Jonathan Huberdeau, Forward, Florida Panthers

Jonathan Huberdeau has shown flashes of brilliance in his young career. He's still learning the defensive side of the game, but he has all of the tools to be a great top-six forward in this league for the next decade.

He's got exceptional agility, and his hands are among the best in the league. He posted 54 points in 2014-15, and he gives indications that he could earn 70-plus points with talented linemates and more ice time. 

He's a hard worker, and at just 21 years of age, he could grow and mature his game in Toronto. With Florida's depth chart, there is a possibility that a lucrative offer could go unmatched.

Landon Ferraro, Centre, Detroit Red Wings

The Detroit Red Wings have been at or near the top of the NHL's food chain because they identify and nurture talent as well as any team. The Red Wings never rush a player, and they have an excellent minor league system.

Ray Ferraro's son and the native of Trail, British Columbia, has developed a good two-way game over the past three or four seasons. He's bright and more than willing to engage the opponent.

He may not have his dad's hands, but his recent play for the Red Wings in the playoffs signals that he is ready to be a top-nine NHL forward. At 6'0" and 174 pounds, he's not going to intimidate opponents physically, but his tenacity and intelligence will serve him well at the NHL level. His versatility makes him a valuable player on any team.

He's a great skater who could be a mainstay on the Leafs' third line for many years. He scored 27 goals with the Grand Rapids Griffins in 2014-15, so he could be much more than an NHL plugger.

All stats can be found on hockeyDB.com unless noted otherwise.