I think KK and Burns are the X factors, but especially KK. If he can take the step and become a legit top 6 center Canes look good, but I'm not convinced.

Already signed Miller. At this point adding Bear would push Harley out of the top six and we would have to pay to move Dobby to make room for Bear’s cap hit. I think if Nill was comfortable adding Bear he would have done it already. He likely viewed Miller as a more dependable option. Covid recovery is a big question mark. I get the impression from White’s comments Miller is fully healthy. If so I agree with their decision to sign him over acquiring Bear

I think you could add Patches health to the X factor list. Need Necas to take the next step as well. Making sideways moves and relying on internal growth is a crapshoot. I know for a fact the Canes are gonna be good but I don’t know if they’re gonna be better or not. I lean towards them taking a step back to be honest. Replacing ADA and Trocheck with Burns and Patches could go badly. Both guys are animals in the playoffs tho. If the Canes can get into the playoffs with a healthy team I wouldn’t want to play against them. Not a fan of that third pair at all. 3RD should be Chatfield’s job to lose. Better options than Butcher out there imo. Also gonna have a cap issue if Gardiner is healthy