The 26-year-old is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery.

The Washington Capitals are still looking for some help in the scoring department, but according to a new report, they also have their eyes on a free-agent defenseman: Ethan Bear.

Per TSN's Chris Johnston, Washington is among the teams showing interest in Bear, who is currently an unrestricted free agent and recovering from offseason shoulder surgery after hurting himself playing for Team Canada at the IIHF World Championships. He is currently recovering in Kelowna.

"He's getting very close," Johnston said, noting that he would allow teams to visit him and see his recovery and progress on the ice. "... The Vancouver Canucks have interest in bringing him back. I think the Leafs have shown interest there. That team to watch could be the Washington Capitals. They seem to be keenly interested. New Jersey and Pittsburgh as well. There's certainly no shortage of interest in Bear, who can be signed just for the money it costs to pay him."

Bear, a 2015 fifth-round pick for the Edmonton Oilers, most recently played for the Vancouver Canucks. He had three goals and 13 points in 61 games last season for Vancouver, along with a plus-minus of plus-6 while logging 18:32 minutes a night. He also led his blue line in advanced metrics.

The 26-year-old is a right-handed defenseman with plenty of upside. He is known for his skating and mobility and his strong defensive game. He's a talented puck-mover and can contribute offensively, but he takes good care of the puck, plays a shutdown style and can block shots and kill penalties.

He would be an asset to a Capitals group looking to add depth, though it's unclear where he would fit into the current lineup, with Joel Edmundson recently making his full-time return to the lineup and Lucas Johansen and Alex Alexeyev serving as the depth defensemen.

Still, Bear is a young option who certainly brings depth to the right side and would join a solid group of rising RHD in that department for D.C., led by Vincent Iorio.