Leafs Identify Their Top Priority When the Clock Strikes Noon on July 1st

The Maple Leafs will no longer have an opportunity to persuade Sam Bennett to sign with them on July 1st as the Conn Smythe winner re-signed with the Florida Panthers on Friday.

As Panthers GM Bill Zito continues to work away at re-signing other big name free agents, the Leafs have made one of them their top target if he reaches free agency on Tuesday.

TSN's Darren Dreger reported on 'Insider Trading' this week that Marchand has been identified as the Leafs' number one target on July 1st -- if he hits the open market.

Marchand would reportedly like to play for Leafs head coach Craig Berube, and Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos noted that the Leafs would be the only team willing to meet Marchand's reported asking price.

While Leafs Nation has no love lost for Marchand, his playoff experience would be a tremendous asset to the organization and would certainly accomplish the DNA change that Brad Treliving is after in Toronto.

As July 1st quickly approaches, the Leafs will be keeping a close eye on negotiations between Marchand and the Panthers in the hopes that they get the opportunity to pitch the two-time Stanley Cup Champion on finishing his career with the Maple Leafs.