i think this would be a good add if manson goes down with injury again. Or next year and we move manson for cap reasons and brown is relatively cheap on his next deal. The only thing that would concern me this year is byram and girard can probily play 2nd line together which would mean we have 2 slower RHD on 3rd pairing which might cause a few turn overs.

I personally don't like having two LHD playing on the same pairing
The same goes for two RHD
I'm old school, LHD with a RHD

I know Bear won't ready for a while but they can survive until he is ready so I'd prefer they just save the assets, sign him and put him on LTIR until he's ready then slot him in, making JJ 7th D.

Trying to balance pairs just because of a depth chart in COL is futile. Makar is #1, Toews will be 2, Byram 3, and Girard 4 it will be mix and match all day long every game but the TOI usage is guaranteed to end up like that. If a guy can play off handed and he is the best at that spot who really cares?

Who’s better on his off hand ?

I personally think Girard is better on his off hand ironically Girard’s best season his primary partner was Toews and he played most of the season there, but both him and Byram do it and do it well. That’s why the Avs will mix and match all of those guys.

brown for macdermid is as even as a nothing trade can be - both 29yo, paid same, huge bottom pair, one L one R.