Why doesn't Vancouver just do the retention and get the first? Then maybe go after a different defenseman? Or could even still acquire Peeke and they save a small amount of cap space.

I get the point here and applaud the creativity, but the Canes were only recently linked to Garland by Pagnotta and I’m guessing they are just price enforcing and would only take him for basically free.

I do not see them spending a 1st even if he comes at $3m

CBJ are only trading one player if they can get rid of multiple. Our entire issue is a roster squeeze.

Canes aren’t paying a first and burning all of their cap space for a 3rd liner

Canes would likely be interested in Garland with about 30% salary retention, but in no world is Garland worth a 1st.