Bad bottom pairing defenders dont help out depleted blue lines very much

We are not adding Jones to that trade

I think the play has to be for a more long term solution. The team needs a big body shutdown defender either capable of unlocking all Rielly can be, or to be the 2nd pair anchor with Liljegren. Maybe both. Brodie seems like he's falling off big time. McCabe is not capable of playing against top opposition and Gio is just not capable enough at 40 years old. Timmins is looking great since coming back from injury and is deeply needed for his offensive ability.

More 3rd pair or 7/8 defenders doesn't help this team get better.

We'll accept Steeves and the third for Lyubushkin at 50% retained, although I hate to see Ilya go. What's Max Jones got to do with this?

Ducks decline drop jones and steeves for another 3rd

Don’t think that trade gets Jones. Love the targets but need to add from the Leafs side. We do need to target a #2 D that can play with Rielly and boosh isn’t it. But would fit well in bottom 4

We like Jones for the same reasons, and he's been looking better under Cronins system.

McGinn is available if you need a gritty bottom 6 guy.

Leafs don't need Jones.
With Lybushkin in - Where does Lilly slot in when he is back from LTIR?

!!

Second pair. With everyone healthy you go with Rielly & Brodie, McCabe & Liljegren, Gio & Lyubushkin. Conor Timmins isn’t an NHL defenseman. It’s too bad he requires waivers, because he needs AHL time to develop.

I’d be willing to add more to get Jones in the deal. We absolutely need a top D man. There just isn’t anything available yet. I think we’ll have to wait until closer to the deadline when teams start falling out of the races. I like Boosh as a bottom pair guy with Gio. Both great shot blockers.

They’re better than deploying AHLers.