The Edmonton Oilers announced late Monday night that defenceman Ethan Bear has re-signed with the team. Bear was a restricted-free agent. His new contract carries a $2 million cap hit for two years.
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Ethan Bear Re-Signs in Edmonton
Ethan Bear was the last player in Edmonton’s system due a contract. Since he didn’t have any arbitration rights, the team was able to delay his signing until they were confident in their cap situation. On Saturday the team signed Slater Koekkoek to a one-year deal. After this free agent deal, their true cap situation became a bit clearer.
In an Oilers defence that’s long searched for a “sure-thing”, Bear has looked strong. He put up 21 points in 71 games and gradually earned a more confident role in the lineup. Edmonton has now made his place their very clear, signing him to a pretty notable pay-raise. That’s good news for the Edmonton blue-line, which doesn’t have the clearest plan for the 2020-21 season. A long-term injury to Oscar Klefbom threw the Oilers plans into havoc and ultimately led to Koekkoek’s signing, to help even out plans at left-defence. The Oilers also brought in Tyson Barrie to fill out their RD position. He joins a corps that features Bear and Adam Larsson.
Also looking to break into the Oilers blue-line will be top-end prospects Evan Bouchard and Philip Broberg. Both players have managed to see ice time through the first half of the 2020-21 season. Bouchard is playing in Sweden’s minor league and has scored 17 points in 23 games. Broberg is playing in Sweden’s top league and has scored eight points in 23 games. Broberg is also currently playing in the 2021 World Junior Championships, where he is the captain of Team Sweden. In Sweden’s first game, Broberg managed three points. Broberg is a LD and Bouchard is a RD, meaning there’s equal pressure from the Oilers prospects.
Either way, Ethan Bear’s signing adds confidence to a blue-line where confidence is in high demand.
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