No, Bear is a 5/6 on a decent team…ideally a 6/7.

He could part of something at a low number but he isn’t enough

No , it wouldn't. This team needs minimum 2 more D. And a top 4 - actually a top 2 who can play with Rielly.

Maybe if they add tanev too but solely no hes not enough

Well, I get Bear as a Cane was a big fail.... never worked out.

But as an Oiler and Canuck he was above average imo.

Why I think as a #5/6 that could work.

I guess what I have to ask - as a knowledgeable outsider (your posts are generally quite good), what is it about the healthy top 4 you see lacking - aside from the physicality..... I have to concede that.

Brodie has been just fine with Reilly.

Seems that most have issues with McCabe and Liligren.....

I question this as if an upgrade were to be made, who big an upgrade would a Tanev type bring? Certainly upgrades the physicality of the D unit, but would it be a significant upgrade defensively overall?

This is the piece I am debating.

I am aware Tanev would certainly add a physical element the Leafs D does lack. But the real debate I think is whether pursuing a deal would improve the D enough to justify the cost?

Tradable assets are a thing the Leafs flatly lack. And where I would be opposed to moving that which the Leafs don't have for a significant upgrade - I am simply looking at the picture and wondering if what is on the market currently would love the needle enough to move.

I suppose the answer might be within your question. Who exactly is the healthy top 4? Bear himself hasn’t been the dictionary definition of available.

Bear was a fail as a Cane because he couldn’t skate well enough to play the system the Canes want. He needs a parter who can skate and cover defensively. You’d be paying 1.75m for a player you have to insulate. Who is that partner on the Leafs? IMO, you’d be better off finding someone else or getting bear in at a much lower number.

When considering bank for your buck (not giving up assets to acquire him), he's a good bottom pair addition. He played pretty decently in Vancouver/Edmonton

Well, a healthy top 4 in Toronto would be:

Reilly- Brodie
McCabe-Liligren

As a group, I like its transitional game, more a box out defensive strategy. Any Leafs fan would want a more physical element in there beyond McCabe (and I would say he isn't overtly tough)

On paper, this leaves Giordano-Bear/Timmins as the bottom pairing....

Given your feedback on Bear (haven't seen him.play that much), Giordano could be that insulation guy; but I would also be inclined to use Laggeson as well for workload management purposes.

Where I see Bear possibly fitting in here is he is tougher than Timmins is terms of using the body (not overtly, but enough to make the claim). Average puck mover, which can marry well to a Giodano as well.

I am one of those few Leafs fans that see flaws in the overall defensive system. Where the blueline can be better, the team play as a whole leaves me wanting.

Just see this massive conundrum moving forward..... a healthy top 4 in Toronto isn't a train wreck, but it lacks an element other Cup contenders have.

Not sold on Tanev being the answer..... I think much of this is a systems issue than a personel issue.

But, that bottom pairing could use massaging.

My thinking.

Simply a different game than Timmins, and definitely improves the depth.

But does he add enough "snot" to make the difference? He is tougher than Timmins yes..... but enough to say he adds a missing element to the blueline?

The expectation from Bear is likely just a third pairing guy who has a right shot. Arguably better than Timmins but neither guy you'd want to see playing over 18 minutes or so.

He doesn't move the needle at all, if that's what you're wondering. If you want to do that you'd need to get a top 4 guy in the Muzzin/Brodie range, and probably another forward if McMann/Steeves aren't cutting it and pushes Reaves to the press box. Neither player is a free agent right now so you'd need to trade.