NHL Draft 2015: Top Defenceman Prospects for Toronto Maple Leafs

With the Toronto Maple Leafs still searching for a head coach and general manager, knowing what the team's plan will be heading into the NHL draft in June remains unclear.

The team has organizational needs at all positions. But with the No. 4 pick, the team must address their greatest need, which is inarguably either a centre or a defenceman.

The argument that a team should take the "best player available" might apply in late rounds, but in the first two rounds, when a selected player is likely going to play in the NHL, teams must be attentive to considering centres and defencemen. Top centres and defenders are the backbones to all great NHL teams.

While I believe the Leafs' greatest need is at centre, let's take a look at the top defenceman prospects who are likely to be available when the Leafs select in the No. 4 spot.

Noah Hanifin, D, Boston College

NHL Central Scouting Rank: No. 3 for North American Skaters

Noah Hanifin is an exceptional talent. If Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel weren't atop this year's NHL draft class, you'd be hearing about him even more than you may have already.

Hanifin is a physical talent, but he's also extremely bright. He accelerated through his final two high school years in one year to start his freshman season at Boston College a year early. His work ethic and smarts translate well to the ice.

Pro comparisons are always problematic, but his game can be likened to Oliver Ekman-Larsson of the Phoenix Coyotes. Both players are phenomenal skaters who are capable of playing close to 30 minutes in a game. They can control game play and make it look easy while doing so.

Hanifin is a great passer who can enhance the play of both his defence partner and his forward group. His instincts allow him to jump into the play with ease and create odd-man chances in a blink.

Hanifin put up 23 points in 37 games during the 2014-15 season. He's capable of much more. At 6'3" and over 200 pounds, he has the size to handle the rigours of NHL play on the point. The native of Norwood, Massachusetts, could crack an NHL roster next year, but the focus should be on where he'll be in another two or three seasons.

It's impossible to say where that will be definitively, but the ceiling is certainly very high.

Ivan Provorov, D, Brandon Wheat Kings

NHL Central Scouting Rank: No. 7 for North American Skaters

Ivan Provorov has the potential to be a top-pairing NHL defender for a long, long time. He is an outstanding skater, and at this stage of his development, he may offer a more complete game than Hanifin.

He has great offensive gifts, but because he's such a gifted skater, he can recover defensively with relative ease. This won't be as easy at the pro level, but with his level of compete, expect Provorov to make the adjustment.

He's firmly committed to playing in North America and has been a standout performer with the Brandon Wheat Kings. Provorov put up 61 points in 60 regular season games in 2014-15. He's added 13 points in 18 WHL playoff games, as well.

At 6'0" and 200 pounds, Provorov won't dominate physically at the next level. That will not be his role, as he should be cast as a No. 1 or No. 2 defender who can play in all game situations.

There are indications that this could be a player in the ilk of P.K. Subban who can lead his team to new heights with his skills and determination. 

Zachary Werenski, D, University of Michigan

NHL Central Scouting Rank: No. 9 for North American Skaters

Zach Werenski was the youngest hockey player in the NCAA this year, but you wouldn't know it from watching him play. The University of Michigan defender exhibits poise and maturity beyond his years.

At just 17 years of age, Werenski might have more room to grow than the other top defenders eligible for the NHL draft. At 6'2" and over 200 pounds, he has a mature body that could see him grow even bigger and stronger.

Werenski does all of the little things extremely well. His stick positioning while defending is great, he's almost always on the right side of the offensive player in the defensive zone and he makes the simple play first.

Werenski makes few mistakes with the puck on his stick, and his vision is backed up by his great passing skills. With 25 points in 36 games, Werenski has the tools to play big minutes at even strength, on the power play and on the penalty kill.

If the Leafs want another potential top-pairing defender, Werenski deserves serious consideration at No. 4.

All stats can be found on hockeydb.com.