Quoting: T0R
My 2 Ideal Blue Lines imo
1. Rielly-Lilly
Brodie-(Murphy/Chych aka someone via trade)
Gio-Sandin
2.Rielly-Lilly
Sandin-Brodie
Gio-(Schenn/Braun aka someone via trade)
I like option 2 better for their long-term outlook, they need someone better than Schenn/Braun though or they might as well resign Holl.
Murphy is just a more expensive Holl imo, and there are a ton of issue with adding Chychrun.
I think the Leafs current D-core is fine if they run
Rielly-Liljegren
Sandin - Brodie
Giordano - Holl
They can then add at the deadline a guy like Zub or Hakanpaa if they become available or perhaps Dubas can find another off the radar addition like Lyubushkin. I think they need to be capable enough to play the RD even if they are LH, so that the D-lines can be arranged accordingly. The cost of acquisition needs to be reasonable too, a guy like Soucy for example if he's going to cost a 1st+3rd, it's not really worth it, but if he's more like two 2nds+3rd then it would be good.
The other addition that they should make is an upgrade on Kerfoot, someone who's more of a top 6 player, even if they end up playing them at 3C if it's a center like Toews for example. I think Knies will be able to join the team but he'll probably not be good enough for the top 6. So, he could play with Jarnkrok and Engvall on the 3rd which would result in them needing a top 6 guy unless Robertson proves otherwise.