Opening Night

I don't think the Bear signing is really needed. Hanley is "good enough" until Hakanpaa gets better. This would only complicate things for his eventual return. Let Nils play 2nd pair minutes in his absence to hopefully get him going.

Hopefully they can shove Stankoven somewhere as well early on in the season, in which case Marchment would need to play on the 4th line, unfortunately

I don’t disagree with any of this. Problem is if you stick Marchment on the fourth line that line is gonna get skated on badly. Duchene is also EXACTLY the type of player that Marchment needs on his line. I think being patient with Stank and Bourque makes a lot of sense (and I’m usually the opposite). I see Bear as a better right handed version of Hanley. Either are honestly upgrades on Jani in every possibly way other than size (which doesn’t matter if you can’t get to where your size is needed)

Bear is out until Januray, so there is a lot of runway to figure all that out - although I think his contract will fall in the $3 million range (assuming you went as low as you did thinking proration?).

Even without Bear, I see the Stars being President Trophy candidates. Arguably the best top 9 in the NHL (if Johnston doesn't regress, I am not sure it much of an arguement), a 4th line thhat looks more like a 3rd line, and a more than functional blueline and in Oettinger, one of the top 5 tenders in the NHL.

The sheer fire power this team has offsets any defensive questions some may have. They are gonna score..... and a lot.

Bear is a pretty thought, but not sure he is remotely necessary.

Signed.... a Leafs fan

Didn’t know Bear was out as well. Figured he’d get more than that but was a little puzzled as to why nobody had picked him up yet. We were just discussing Jani being out to start the year in a different thread and I was looking at remaining RHD options. Thanks for letting me know. Cheers