Will a Prospect Tell an NHL Team Not To Draft Them? Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTkzMjc5MTQ3NzQ3ODQ1Njk5/usatsi_17899529.jpg] After a difficult 2021-22 including a bout with COVID-19, Ethan Bear has yet to play a game this season for the Carolina Hurricanes. Signed to a one-year contract worth $2.2 million in July, the 25-year-old defenseman has been a healthy scratch thus far. On Saturday, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported [https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/coyotes-want-to-trade-chychrun-but-price-remains-high/] Bear wants to play and the Hurricanes have been exploring trade options. Part of the problem, however, is interested clubs want them to retain a portion of his salary which the Hurricanes aren't keen to do if they're not getting a decent return. Friedman feels the situation could be resolved soon by a club making an acceptable offer to the Hurricanes or placing Bear on waivers. It's also possible he could slot into the Carolina lineup. Bear popped up during the pre-season last month as a trade candidate linked to the Ottawa Senators and Vancouver Canucks [https://thehockeynews.com/news/canucks-and-senators-linked-to-ethan-bear]. Friedman also mentioned the Canucks as a possible suitor. Both clubs could use additional depth on their respective bluelines. The Senators have been linked for some time to the Arizona Coyotes' Jakob Chychrun [https://thehockeynews.com/news/why-the-arizona-coyotes-may-not-trade-jakob-chychrun-soon]. However, the high asking price for the 24-year-old rearguard could force them to consider more affordable short-term options. It's not known if the Montreal Canadiens have an interest in Bear, but Montreal Hockey Now's Marco D'Amico cited [https://montrealhockeynow.com/2022/10/23/montreal-canadiens-could-have-interesting-defenceman-on-waivers/] their need for an experienced right-side defenseman. He noted that the Canadiens still hold priority on waivers for another week, giving them first crack at Bear if he's made available.
