I don’t often buy into soap rumors.

Let’s face it, most of the time they’re started by fans on message boards.

My favorite are the people that actually claim to know the stars – and then say hateful things about them. Of course, every time they're proven wrong -- they say that the story changed at the last minute (which rarely happens).

Most Internet rumors come and go pretty quickly.

I’m starting to believe one, though.

Which one, you ask?

The one that says Stephen Nichols is returning to ‘General Hospital’ to reprise his role as Stefan Cassadine.

Why do I believe this one?

There are actually a couple of reasons.

The first is that the ‘Young and the Restless’ is apparently looking to recast the role he plays because

Nichols is unavailable.

The second is that Tyler Christopher, aka Nikolas Cassadine, was just signed to a long-term contract by GH.

The third is that Luke has mysteriously come down with some Cassadine malady that is going to kill him.

And the fourth? They recently resurrected Stavros from a crevice in the basement of the hospital. Why not Stefan?

 

Now, I don’t know for sure that Stefan is returning. Maybe I believe this rumor because I want to believe this rumor. It’s a definitely possibility.

The signs add up, though.

Stefan fits into a lot of ongoing stories right now. He has ties to Luke, Laura, Nikolas and Alexis – and that mysterious Swedish hospital has been key in bringing other people back from the dead. I wouldn't be surprised to find half the dead in Port Charles there if need be.

Now, my excitement at a possible Stefan Cassadine return is tempered by the fact that GH’s cast is beyond bloated.

If Stefan is coming back – then the fat has to be trimmed on that cast. Start with Spinelli and Ellie – work your way over to Taylor and Britt – and finish with Sabrina, Connie and Olivia. Hard cuts have to be made people.

For GH to be balanced, then you have to trim the needless fat.

I hear a lot of soap fans say they want this character back and that character back. Heck, I’d sell my vintage Millenium Falcon for Brenda and Robin returns.

That still doesn’t change the fact that if GH were a ship – it would sink under its own weight right now.

No one wants to see an actor lose his job. For GH to thrive, though, multiple characters need to go.

That means people losing their jobs.

That’s just the way it is.

So, I’m embracing the Stefan Cassadine rumor with a lot of hope – and a lot of fear. Because if Stefan comes to the canvas now, he’s going to be lost in a sea of faces that are all fighting for airtime.

He deserves more than that.

What do you think? Do you believe the rumors that Stefan Cassadine is returning?