Yes. Han’s death could have been the catalyst for Luke’s wailing on Vader (ie Luke sensing Han sacrificing himself during the final battle) - this would eliminate the need for a) Leia being the sister (which was ridiculous) and b) Lucas introducing Jedi ‘mind-reading’ (which was also ridiculous).
I do like that idea Han’s death could have been the catalyst for Luke’s wailing on Vader, definitely sits better with me too as a concept.
Sensing that Han had been lost in the battle could have made Luke’s turn to anger more “in the moment” and given more peril for other Rebels in that space fight.