Zona will receive a 2nd for Bjugstad without retaining their last 2 contract slots

No they won't. They will use both retention spots to get the second

Overpaying for mediocre, bottom-of-the-roster players doesn't make them better.

I offered a reasonable price.

The main need of the current line-up is a top-4 left-back, Gavrikov will add solidity and reliability to our defense. This purchase is a priority. I think there will be eight defenders in the roster, this defense is good and balanced.
I think our top 6 has already been formed, and does not require urgent strengthening, especially since there are no UFAs on the market that will strengthen our top 6.
I suggest leaving Yamamoto in LTIR before the playoffs in order to climb under the ceiling, as Tampa did two years ago with Kucherov.
I think Byugstad will be useful for us, he is experienced, big with a right grip, this year the main center of Arizona, I think our second choice is an adequate price for him and plus withholding half of Gavrikov's salary.

bjugstad is worth a third.

Gavrikov just isn't worth a 1st though, it's an overpay. He's not very physical and he doesn't win a preponderance of puck battles. He's another Brett Kulak but less mobile and not as good at moving the puck. Edmonton paid a 2nd for Kulak.

Disagree. Gavrikov is a physically developed defender. Basically, he plays top pair of the terrible Columbus, which means he gets the biggest minutes against the best attacking opponents, and looks good. Yes, I agree, the first round is an overpayment, but this is a deadline and we will have to overpay in order to increase. I consider Gavrikov a more reliable defender than Kulak, no doubt Kulak is a more versatile defender, but purely defensively Gavrikov is stronger and it will be more comfortable for Kulak to play in the playoffs in the third pair, with the ability to sometimes play in the top 4 if necessary.

He's not a 1st pairing guy though.

https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/what-team-will-overpay-to-beef-up-with-vladislav-gavrikov-at-the-trade-deadline

I don't think i would offer a first other than as a condition of edmonton making the stanley cup finals.

Gavrikov will be this years Chariot.

Well, if not a player of the first pair? Werenski has only played 13 games this year, followed by Gavrikov in terms of playing time with 22.5 minutes per game, with 50 games, in addition he is the main defender in the minority, that is, he definitely plays against the best attackers of the enemy, and at the same time he has a not entirely terrible minus 6. Seravali directly says this is the defender of the middle pair (that is, the second pair) of the playoff team that claims the cup.

Gavrikov is a responsible professional, this year he will hold a strong playoff.

No, re-read what he wrote. 3rd pairing on a Cup team.

And Gavrikov is 30-44 goals at 5v5, plus/minus is a fairly useless stat. And he only plays 1st pairing on CLB (a non-playoff team) due to injury. And him playing too high in the order is one of the reasons they're a non-playoff team.

Definitely the first round is an overpayment, but this is a deadline and we will have to overpay in order to strengthen. I agree with ZMach, the deal should be like Gavrikov and withholding half of the salary in exchange for a conditional second round of 23 years old, which grows to the first round if Edmonton reaches the cup final.
What matters here is not in which team he plays, but what is important is what experience he gets, he plays the best minutes against the best attackers of the opponent.
The fact that Columbus is one of the worst teams in the league at the moment is a combination of factors, one player cannot lead a team to the playoffs, even McDavid. Hockey teams win. Gavrikov conscientiously and efficiently performs his work. I consider Gavrikov the best defensive defender available.

Well, God help you then.