Reunion in Vancouver? Insider Says Washington Capitals Open to Trading Former Canuck Ethan Bear
Photo credit: Washington Capitals/NHL
Former Vancouver Canucks defenseman Ethan Bear could be on the move before next Friday's trade deadline according to a recent report.
After leaving Vancouver as an unrestricted free agent in 2023, Ethan Bear landed a two-year contract with the Washington Capitals and after spending all of 2024-25 in the AHL, it appears that he could be traded before March 7th.
Washington Capitals reportedly open to trading Ethan Bear before March 7th deadline
On Thursday's edition of Early Trading, TSN hockey insider Chris Johnston shared that the Washington Capitals are open to trading former Vancouver Canucks defenseman Ethan Bear and giving him a new opportunity elsewhere.
"Well Ethan Bear has had a really strong year down with the Hershey Bears who are again a top team in the American Hockey League. At this point in time, it does sound as though they're willing to explore a trade for Bear." Johnston said.
He added, "A couple of things have happened this year. Washington has been very healthy on its blue line and just, the fact remains that they have players above him in depth roles blocking him from essentially from a spot towards the NHL. But Bear is in the last year of his existing contract, obviously would love to work his way back to an NHL team and it does sound though that Washington is willing to accommodate trying to find him a place to play for the remainder of this season and put him in a position to earn that next deal."
He added, "A couple of things have happened this year. Washington has been very healthy on its blue line and just, the fact remains that they have players above him in depth roles blocking him from essentially from a spot towards the NHL. But Bear is in the last year of his existing contract, obviously would love to work his way back to an NHL team and it does sound though that Washington is willing to accommodate trying to find him a place to play for the remainder of this season and put him in a position to earn that next deal."
Back in the spring of 2023, it looked like the Vancouver Canucks were going to at least issue Ethan Bear, who was an RFA, a qualifying offer, but that changed after he suffered a shoulder injury at the IIHF World Championship with Canada.
Bear was not issued a qualifying offer and became an unrestricted free agent on July 1st, but didn't end up signing in Washington until December 2023 due to the recovery from his shoulder injury.
The Regina, Saskatchewan native appeared in 24 games for the Washington Capitals last season before he entered the NHL-NHLPA Player Assistance Program in late March and missed the remainder of the season.
This season with the AHL's Hershey Bears, Bear has been given a big role, leading him to put up 33 points (eight goals, 25 assists) in 46 games thus far and earned him a trip to the All Star Game in Coachella Valley earlier this month.
It'll be interesting to see how many teams inquire about Ethan Bear before the 12 pm PT trade deadline on Friday, March 7th, but given how he's played down in the AHL, there's a number of NHL teams who could use someone like him in a bottom pair role.
Source: Chris Johnston/TSN
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