For what Alvin wants to do in this deal, there is no doubt the Jackets are the best fit out of the trio of teams reportedly interested.

I look at this and really wonder what direction the Canucks go here - as the Jackets have 3 defenseman that arguably could be had.

Cost point: about what you have, although I feel the Canucks may need to move a mid round pick.

Peeke: definitely one of them, and after last season one would be buying low. Good saty-at-home.presence with a strong physical edge. Would add to Soucy and Cole making the Canucks blueline very tough to deal with.

Boquist: injuries have sidetracked his development somewhat, but there is an offensive game there to be untapped - still upside here. Would give the Canucks a good puck mover to compliment the offensive game. Paired with Soucy, he could be very useful.

Cost point: about what you have here, maybe upgrading Woo.

Bean: an underrated two way D with a physical edge. Jackets fans on CF are quite luke warm about him overall, but he is the best of the trio imo. Gives the Nucks a likely top-4 D when he rounds out, who can play both sides. Think a poor man's Jovo..... that is what I see here.

Cost: Garland with nominal retention and a pick.

This deal is fine and all, but there a 3 D here that could be had, and for Alvin it becomes a question if which direction you want to go and if he is willing to move a little more to get something done - given each players acumen. Each one would simply bring different elements.

Going to be interesting to see what he does.

It is an interesting match for both teams. Jackets have 3 potential D-men available (Peeke, Bean and Boqvist) that all are extremely hard to value in my opinion. Peeke seems to be attracting a ton of attention as a shot blocking RD, but he makes a ton of mistakes and has not proven he can handle any real defensive responsibility. I do think if he had a stable LD paired with him and was deployed in a second or third line role he would be significantly better. He has made it clear he can't play against top lines, yet we kept deploying him there. Bean and Boqvist are similar that they both have decent upside as high draft picks that are still younger defensemen and just haven't stayed healthy. There is no telling how either will develop or if they are the next Ryan Murray who will always be hurt.

The issue I see for the Jackets is locking in Garland at $5M for the next 3 years. I am not sure that is something that the Jackets want to do with all of the young guys we have to sign. This trade would leave us with $18M next year to sign Johnson, Marchenko, Tex, Sillinger, Chinakov and a couple depth guys. Not to mention potential buyouts of Gudbranson and Elvis based on this season.

I think the trade makes a ton of sense for both sides, but will be interesting to see how it comes together. I think this proposal is pretty close to what Columbus would be looking for. Jackets would be looking for an AHL player with upside or a pick along with Garland while moving out 2 guys that would require waivers to go to the AHL and likely do not have a future in Columbus.

Excellent comments by both Swinny and Hopefullynextyear. Provides good balanced perspective.

From an outsiders point of view it looks like Peeke has been miscast. Not a 1st pairing at all and probably only a decent back up if your second pairing guy gets injured. Likely could become a very solid 3rd pairing D man, which is still valuable, especially to the Canucks who cant wait to dump Myers. Of course, Canucks also kicking tires on Bear too, who would probably fill that 2nd pairing slot with Cole, quite nicely.

Thanks to all three of you for the great comments. I agree Columbus makes the most sense here. It will be interesting to see how it plays out.