I think the Jets have some really solid role players on defense. Guys you can count on to be positive contributors in the playoffs.
Unfortunately, they are badly missing two top four defensemen with size. They can play 1st pair, 2nd pair, 3rd pair, wherever. But we need 2... Guys that can both play an all around game while being able to handle big forwards and push around other teams smaller skill guys.
They can be meat and potatoes guys, I'm not talking star players here. Just guys good enough to play tough PK mins and be competent if they need to fill in for injuries.
DeMelo and Pionk fit their complimentary roles well, but they are asked to do too much here. Pionk should be 5 on 5 and PP2 only to get his mins down. DeMelo should be a 5v5 and PK gu. But not a go to shut down MacKinnon and top PK unit guy.