Quoting: wagsnags
I know at least on CF the Edmonton GM's have stated that teams should stay away from Bear that he is untouchable. The Oilers goaltending situation is still a hot mess IMO so I think you could entice them with Grubs.
I hear that, too, about Bear.
Edmonton's goaltending was bad this year, but Talbot could just be injured or depressed and come back as his regular self next year. Their highest scoring winger (not counting Nugent Hopkins) was Maroon, with 16 goals. They traded him away at the deadline. Connolly had 15 goals this year and last, on mostly a 3rd line. He's only 25 and improving, and he can play either wing. On the Caps this makes him a third liner because Ovechkin, Oshie, Burakovsky, Wilson, and Vrana. on Edmonton he plays with McDavid and Nuge, and scores thirty goals a year until 2025. Bear for Connolly is cheap, and he wasn't just a first round pick. He was 6th overall. He's still got the same skill and finishing ability. Just doesn't get chances.
But to hear Edmonton fans tell it, Puljujarvi will have that spot by sometime last year, so there's no point in trading for anyone to fill it, or either 2nd line spot behind it, because Pool Party will play those, too.
Bear got 18 points in the AHL this season. Russo got 32. He's my 2nd pair AHL defender, with no contest. He's not untouchable. Edmonton just really needs right defensemen, and they'll end up signing one or trading for one because Bear, while good, is not ready yet.
I know this because he played 18 games with Edmonton this year. He got four assists and was -11. In an 82 game season, that projects to -50.
So maybe Edmonton throws in a 2nd. Maybe Carolina does, too. Or maybe I just need to do more research into what D prospects can get Hershey deep in the playoffs in Samsonov's rookie season, and provide some insurance for a team whose blueline would be rocked by losing Carlson.