A breakdown of some of the Maple Leafs’ options in free agency

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Brad Treliving has some money to spend.

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Which players will the Maple Leafs general manager be spending his money on when the National Hockey League free agency period begins on Monday?

Treliving has about $19 million to spend before the Leafs reach the $88 million salary cap.

We know that Treliving is focused on adding at least one defender, and preferably two. An experienced goalkeeper is also on his wish list and if anything remains in the club’s bank account, Treliving will turn his attention to strikers. There have been negotiations with internal free agents Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi, but at best Treliving would only be able to sign one of them if that happens.

Treliving is also believed to have no objection to re-signing defenders Joel Edmundson or Ilya Lyubushkin if such options arise after other players are signed.

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Let’s look at some options for the Leafs in free agency:

BEST GOALS

Chris Tanev,D

Treliving would love to be reunited after working with Tanev in Calgary and tried to acquire him in a trade last season. The 34-year-old Tanev, who hails from Toronto, would fill the physical needs on the right side of the Leafs’ blue line, potentially pairing with Morgan Rielly. Tanev will be in high demand as several of his former teams, Dallas and Vancouver, are interested in him. It will likely be a three-year deal worth $4.5 million.

Nikita Zadorov, D

See above. Treliving likes his D-men, long and big, and Zadorov fits that description. At 29, Zadorov is likely to sign a five-year pact that will likely start at $5 million. And like Tanev, Zadorov was targeted by Treliving via trade before the Calgary Flames sent him to the Vancouver Canucks.

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Matt Roy,D

Right-winger Roy could become an option for Treliving if Tanev and/or Zadorov sign elsewhere. Roy will have a role in the top four wherever he lands and will be eligible for a nice raise over the $3.15 million AAV that was included in his last contract. The 29-year-old Michigan native would be a good addition to the Leafs.

Laurent Brossoit, G

Speculation surrounding the Leafs and Brossoit is so intense that no one would be surprised if a trade was announced shortly after noon on Monday. Toronto absolutely needs to sign a veteran to play alongside Joseph Woll (and maybe another, but cheap one) and Brossoit, 31, is coming off a season in which he had a .927 save percentage for the Winnipeg Jets. Brossoit made $1.75 million last season and will likely get around $2.2 million on a multi-year deal.

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Antoni Stolarz, G

After posting a 16-7-2 record and a .925 save percentage for the Florida Panthers, Stolarz would be another good option for the Leafs. The incoming goalie would have to carry the load if Woll were to get hurt, and both Brossoit and Stolarz are capable of doing so. His cap hit would likely be similar to Brossoit’s.

IT’S NICE TO HAVE

Tyler Bertuzzi, LW and Max Domi, C/W

If Treliving had the money, there’s probably no chance either of them would hit the open market. Bertuzzi, in particular, came into his own in the second half of last season, and Domi showed he could be the third-line center the Leafs crave. Treliving is in trouble because when he returns to the pair, one or both of them may be gone.

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Jake DeBrusk, W

The 27-year-old winger has averaged 24 goals over the past three seasons and is expected to earn between $5.5 million and $6 million on a long-term deal. The Leafs are interested, but we don’t see it unless Treliving can’t get two more expensive defensemen.

Steven Stamkos, C

If Treliving really is all in, as the saying goes, it would be foolish not to at least give the Tampa Bay Lightning captain and two-time Cup champion a boost. You have to wonder how that might work for the Leafs. Stamkos has scored at least 81 points in each of the last three seasons, and at this point in his career, he might not need much convincing to come home. Given that Stamkos is available, it’s a shame that John Tavares still has one year left on his contract.

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Brett Pesce, D

The 29-year-old, right-shooting Pesce will be a great addition to his next club. He’s the type of responsible veteran who would be a good fit in Toronto. If Treliving was only looking for one D-man, Pesce could be that guy. An AAV of over $6 million is likely.

WORTH THE FLYER

Cam Talbot,G

If for some reason Brossoit or Stolarz find work elsewhere, 36-year-old Talbot should be considered. Kevin Lankinen may also be a veteran.

David Perron, F

The 36-year-old remained productive last year in Detroit, scoring 17 goals and adding 30 assists. With an expected AAV in the $3 million range, he could be a good backup plan.

Connor Brown, right back

We saw the value Brown can still provide in the Edmonton Oilers’ playoff run. A match with the Leafs for less than $1 million could work out.

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Matt Dumba,D

An option on the right side, Dumba wouldn’t be too expensive, with a projected cap hit of $3 million. If it’s a one- or two-year deal, he might fit the bill.

Adam Henrique, C

There is no denying that Henrique would add veterans to the squad. He scored 24 goals in 82 games last season with Anaheim and Edmonton. Does he fit into the third team? Yes.

INAPPROXIMATE LUXURY

Sam Reinhart, RW

Quite a moment when Reinhart scored a career-high 57 goals for the Panthers. At least north of $10 million AAV will be trending towards Reinhart.

Brandon Montour, D

He will certainly be the highest-paid defender, with earnings in the $7.5-$8 million range.

Jake Guentzel, F

How effective would Guentzel be for the Leafs in the playoffs? For about $9 million, he’ll be a producer no matter where he plays.

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