After missing a significant portion of last year with a season-ending shoulder surgery, Ethan Bear is now healthy and once again looking for an opportunity in the NHL. He last played for the Canucks, and now, one insider is reporting that his return to hockey will be with a new team.
According to Satiar Shah of Sportsnet, the Canucks have been priced out of negotiations with Bear. Vancouver is directly up against the salary cap, and Bear could be commanding close to his salary of $2M prior to his injury.
Originally drafted in the fifth round of the 2015 draft by the Oilers, Bear has gone on to establish himself as a strong top six defender, and posts great analytics to boot. In 251 games with the Oilers, Hurricanes, and Canucks, Bear has recorded only 63 points.
According to other reports, the Toronto Maple Leafs, New Jersey Devild, and Pittsburgh Penguins have been connected to signing Bear - as well as the Vancouver Canucks prior to now. He could still perhaps return to Edmonton, but Oilers fans no doubt will wish Bear luck in the next stage of his career.
