Ottawa absolutely declines

I'm assuming you realize there's no chance Sens say yes. And Jackets. Maybe not even Sabres.

Melnyk still owns the Sens Tkchuck raise vs 1 and 3 in the draft, Sabres do that trade, CBJ is certainly interested as 5 OA gets them the C they are looking for and Risto takes Jones minutes

Melnyk gave Chabot the biggest contract in franchise history less than a year ago. There's no reason to think he won't pay his future Captain too.

If the Leafs won this lottery against all odds an didn't draft Lafreniere... I'm switching allegiances.

That is a potential franchise altering addition that would facilitate big moves in other areas.

Its a no brainer. You keep the pick and you select the BPA.

No, the Jackets aren't interested in the slightest. We do not want to move Jones, period, full stop. For all practical purposes, any trade involving Jones is an automatic "no".