Don’t think the Canucks would trade Mikheyev. He’s been a great fit with Pettersson and Kuzmenko, and brings speed that the Canucks lack otherwise. Boeser/Garland/Hoglander/Miller (if possible) would all be wingers more likely to move

Nice ideas, don't think Vancouver moves him.

Well, maybe Mitts for Garland would make sense.

Not a fan of paying big assets and money to a guy who won't make it out of our 3rd pair

That would make sense

This is not entirely true. Chychrun could also play in the third pair and he would be worth more. Gavrikov is a legiti top 4 D in his prime, the type of defender we need. This does not mean that he will play 15 minutes per game in the third pair. Remember Tampa with Hedman, McDonagh and Sergachev on LD. The same Colorado has defense with Makar, Toews, Girard, Manson and Byram. Gavrikov can play in the top 4 if someone has an injury, but technically it would be more than two second pairs than just first, second and third. Balance the ice time. I improved the defense depth and the main quality of D.

I get it, just don't think it's worth the acquisition cost and salary. If this works we will have to pay alot of people

Well, if we could get such a player for 2nd + prospect, of course it would be better. But I think it's worth it, quality defense is very important in many ways, plus we have a lot of offensive prospects that will be on ELC and can replenish roster every year.

5,5 mil cap hit 1st and 4th for 3rd pair LD, who is going to be UFA in 5 months, when Sabres still can sign Ryan Johnson to that role ? Pass

Well I disagree, I already said it in the comments. This is not quite a LD for the third pair. Johnson, by the way, will leave for the UFA (Lance confirmed this)

I must have missed that