Bear is expected to sign a two-year deal with the Capitals.
ARLINGTON, V.A. — As the Washington Capitals made their way off the ice and into a locker room, a new face was standing in the hallway, as Ethan Bear was spotted in team apparel getting used to what will be his new home in the next 24 hours.
Bear took in practice on Tuesday and officially touched down as he prepares to sign a two-year contract with the team. That deal is expected to be announced after 2 p.m. ET, as Lucas Johansen either clearing waivers or getting claimed will open a roster spot for him.
The 26-year-old is still working his way back from offseason shoulder surgery to address an injury he suffered while representing Team Canada at Worlds in May.
When it comes to where Bear will fit, expect him to compete with either Trevor van Riemsdyk, Nick Jensen or Joel Edmundson for a spot on the bottom pairing. He is a right-hand shot, so if he takes Edmundson's place, van Riemsdyk would likely shift down and play on the left.
Bear wasn't the only new face at MedStar Capitals Iceplex, though. Ivan Miroshnichenko also made his way up to D.C. following a recall with both Sonny Milano and T.J. Oshie on injured reserve through the holiday break. He was joined by Hendrix Lapierre.
Miroshnichenko is expected to make his NHL debut on Wednesday, though head coach Spencer Carbery wouldn't confirm anything.
The Russian was playing on the third line with Lapierre and Evgeny Kuznetsov, and he also got time on the second power-play unit.
Matthew Phillips was rotating in, and Max Pacioretty, who has officially upgraded to contact and is expected to make his return to play after the break, was in Lucas Johansen's spot on the extra defensive pairing with Alex Alexeyev.
Here are the line combinations from practice:
Alex Ovechkin-Dylan Strome-Tom Wilson
Aliaksei Protas-Connor McMichael-Anthony Mantha
Hendrix Lapierre-Evgeny Kuznetsov-Ivan Miroshnichenko
Beck Malenstyn-Nic Dowd-Nicolas Aube-Kubel
Matthew Phillips
Martin Fehervary-John Carlson
Rasmus Sandin-Trevor van Riemsdyk
Joel Edmundson-Nick Jensen
Max Pacioretty-Alex Alexeyev
Darcy Kuemper
Charlie Lindgren