A new Ethan Bear contract has been signed, and it’s with the Washington Capitals. His new deal is for two years and $4.125 million after his one-year, $2.2 million contract signed in Carolina ended with him as an unrestricted free agent. His contract runs through the 2024-25 season and has an average cap hit of $2.0625 per season.
OFFICIAL: The Washington Capitals have signed defenseman Ethan Bear to a two-year, $4.125 million contract. Bear’s contract will carry an average annual value of $2.0625 million.#ALLCAPS
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 28, 2023
Ethan Bear Signed by Capitals
Bear has had an interesting run since joining the Vancouver Canucks last October. One coaching change, player movement, benched to start the season, a trade, and injury. Again. At least this time, he also brought home a world championship. It was widely expected that Bear would re-sign with Vancouver, even being mentioned in a pre-season “Letter to the Fans” released to season ticket holders in April. But the salary cap difficulties and Bear’s delayed return due to injury waylaid those plans.
It’s just his bad luck that he was injured with one second left to play against Finland. The timing was lousy for the injury, forcing him to miss the medal rounds. The timing for the surgery, however, was carefully planned. Bear reaggravated a shoulder injury he sustained years ago while playing for the Bakersfield Condors, in the Edmonton Oilers‘ system. Since then, he’s undergone a training regimen to keep it strong. This surgery should, finally, put an end to his constant low-level injury maintenance.
In an interview after reaching Washington, Bear suggested that a deciding factor for him was the Capitals “didn’t pressure me” which suggests a rare free agent mishandling for Vancouver’s Jim Rutherford and Patrik Allvin.
What This Means
This Ethan Bear contract was undoubtedly tricky to negotiate. He plays one of the premium positions in the league – right-handed defence – which opened a bit of a bidding war. That his signing only cost the cap and contract space made him even more appealing. But the Capitals were cautious, as well. He stayed under observation by the team days before the contract was finalized. That they were willing to give him time helped them win his services. Whether that was wise, they’ll soon find out.
Now, Bear needs to show he’s fully recovered from his injury, find his footing, and get up to mid-season form. Both he and the team need to figure out how he will best contribute and whether they can fit him into the roster. Bear’s a very good puck carrier, getting the puck out of the defensive zone under control. If he shows he can do it as a middle-pair guy, he’ll get another offer soon after this deal ends.
Main photo by: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports
