Would need to have a plan for another solid NHL goalie with Andersen injury history

Assume OP is thinking Kochetkov but I’d be more comfortable with another capable NHL guy in the system.

could run into some cap problems if patches returns before playoffs

Would have to get creative potentially. Minor trades or run March through a third team / dump Bear on a third team as part of the trade.

wouldn't even be that hard to dump bear at the deadline imo.

Not wise to trade Raanta in my view. Teams need 3 viable NHL goalies these days

this doesnt work because gardiner is back. You will have at least his buyout on the books

Injuries always happen to as we’re seeing the last few days. Don’t wish for that obviously but somebody could get hurt ahead of the TDL and free up enough space to not have to move anyone. Either way I think it’s fair to say they have some options and flexibility even if they bring on somebody in the 4-6M range. Assuming Gardiner is moved of course.

Is Gardiner not healthy again? confused why he's on LTIR, I guess just to make cap work for this roster, but that would be a decent price to move his contract

He is, for now at least. Think he’d fit on this roster but would need to move him to get Patches back in during season. Easiest way would be in a trade for a good player from a bad team since I agree it would be costly to straight cap dump him.

Carolina would be a serious contender if this happened, not that they already are.