Leafs rumoured to have interest in top defensive trade target

According to The Fourth Period, the Leafs have entered race for Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Seth Jones.

Jones' name has certainly been making the rounds since he announced just a few short weeks ago that he had no desire to return to Columbus when his current deal expires at the end of next season.

This is the first time I've seen Jones' name come up in trade talks where the Leafs have been linked, so there's not exactly a lot of smoke here, which might indicate that it is nothing more than just a rumour.

Jones, 26, was the 4th overall pick in 2013 and is slated to earn $5.4M this season and has a modified no-trade clause in his contract where he has the option of submitting a list of 10 teams which he would not accept a trade to.