Quoting: westleysnipez
Zub is not a top-pairing defenseman, perhaps he can make it work in short bursts, but he's been eaten alive analytically even in just a Top-4 role. Add in the fact that at 28 he's only played one full NHL season, he's decidedly not worth Kuzmenko 1 for 1. If the Senators are wanting Top-6 support, I'd maybe move Garland + mid pick/prospect for him. But given Zub's injury history, I think there's better options on the market.
Besides that, Bear played excellently with Hughes last season. It's cheaper for the Canucks to move out cap space to re-sign Bear than to lose Kuzmenko.
Garland has zero value, Zero. He isn't bringing back a top 4 RD even if you add "mid pick/prospects". If Garland's being moved the Canucks are paying in either retention or picks/prospects. I would personally rather move a good winger for a defenseman than pay the costs of moving a player like Garland and then all the additional young assets it would take to acquire a top 4 defenseman. This team is decent (although their underlying numbers haven't been great), but they still aren't contenders and are still going to have cap issues going forward, so they need their few good young prospects and future high picks to ensure they have a steady flow of ECL's coming in the future.
You do realize Kuzmenko has only played one NHL season and is also turning 28 in early 2024 right? Look I like Kuzmenko, he had a very high shooting percentage last season that boosted his total but he's a good player and a well liked teammate. That said he plays the easiest position to fill in the NHL and Zub the hardest, that significantly effects value and that is why all the Sen's fans on here are saying "No".
You could put a pilon on the ice and it would look good as Hughes defense partner. Bear is a decent player and one I think the team should bring back, that said he is a #5 on a good blueline, and although I like Bear I certainly wouldn't want him paired with Hughes in the playoffs,
At the end of the day, Zub doesn't have to be the player the team acquires. He was an option that I hadn't seen posted on here yet so I decided I would try something different. Either way if this team chooses to make a big move for a defenseman, I would rather move a winger with value than the multiple young assets it would otherwise cost.