Ethan Bear joins Capitals ARLINGTON, V.A. — As Ethan Bear took the ice for Wednesday's optional morning skate, the Washington Capitals announced that things would become official soon as the team announced it intends to sign him at a later date, predictably after the roster freeze ends on Dec. 28. Bear will wear No. 25 with the team. The holdup is to keep a roster spot open in case of any injuries and needed emergency recalls during the freeze. Bear's deal is reportedly for two years and is in the $2 million neighborhood. He is currently recovering from offseason shoulder surgery after he was hurt while representing Team Canada at Worlds in May. The 26-year-old blueliner is a right-hand shot and is known for strong defensive play, as he takes pride in playing heavy minutes, killing penalties and blocking shots. However, he has shown that he can take good care of the puck, provide mobility and jump up in the rush, which is something Washington is looking for. Bear most recently played with the Vancouver Canucks, putting up three goals, 13 assists, 75 shots, 39 hits and 69 blocks, as well as a plus/minus of plus-6 in 61 games through 2022-23. Among Canucks defensemen with at least 13 games played last season, Bear ranked second behind only captain Quinn Hughes in scoring chances for percentage (49.59) and Corsi-for percentage (50.48) at 5-on-5. Ethan Bear He received a lot of attention in free agency and had multiple suitors, but the Capitals were able to emerge as the frontrunners for his services by offering term and job security. The 5-11, 197-pound defenseman joins an already solid defensive pool for D.C. The right side has three regulars in the mix right now: John Carlson, Trevor van Riemsdyk and Nick Jensen. Beyond them, there are not a lot of NHL-ready right-handed defensemen in the system, with Vincent Iorio being next on the depth chart followed by veteran Dylan McIlrath and Chase Priskie. Bear will be the team's eighth defenseman, taking Lucas Johansen's spot after he cleared waivers and returned to the AHL's Hershey Bears. However, he is not expected to be an extra and will be competing with fellow RHD Jensen and van Riemsdyk, as well as LHD Joel Edmundson, for ice time. In the end, it's a strong signing for Washington. Bear is a talented, rising defenseman who has shown he is capable of playing a role on the top-4, and he plays the game with speed, mobility and good awareness at both ends of the ice. With the team filled with veterans, taking a gamble on Bear is a good move for the future, especially with the team establishing a rising defensive core led by fellow youngsters Martin Fehervary and Rasmus Sandin. The Regina, Saskatchewan native was originally taken in the fifth round of the 2015 NHL Draft.
