Reunion? Former Canucks Defenseman Granted Permission to Negotiate With Other Teams Ahead of Free Agency
Photo credit: NHL.com
A former Vancouver Canucks blueliner has reportedly been granted permission by his club to speak with other NHL teams ahead of the free agency period, which begins on July 1st.
We're less than two weeks away from the start of the National Hockey League's free agency period, along with eight days from the beginning of the Entry Draft and action is already starting to pick up.
The Vancouver Canucks are going to be a team to keep an eye on this summer as they have aspirations of being aggressive on both the trade and free agent markets, and it appears that one of their former defensemen will be available for them to sign as of Canada Day at 9 am PT.
Former Vancouver Canucks defenseman granted permission to speak with other teams
There are several intriguing players that are set to become free agents in 12 days, not only at the top, but also some depth options too including former Vancouver Canucks defenseman Ethan Bear, who had a solid year in the American Hockey League.
Bear is just one of hundreds of players that will hit the open market in a matter of weeks and it looks like the former Canuck is going to be able to gauge interest from other NHL clubs well ahead of July 1st.
According to Rick Dhaliwal of Donne & Dhali, the Washington Capitals have granted Ethan Bear permission to speak with other teams leading up to free agency, with the insider adding that there are a number of clubs that are interested in the blueliner.
"Washington has given permission to UFA defenseman Ethan Bear to talk with teams.
Lots of teams showing interest." Dhaliwal said on X.
Lots of teams showing interest." Dhaliwal said on X.
Bear, 27, became an unrestricted free agent in Vancouver back in 2023 after Patrik Allvin decided not to issue him a qualifying offer following an injury sustained at the World Championship, which required surgery.
The Regina, Saskatchewan native then signed a two-year contract with the Washington Capitals in December of 2023 and despite spending the remainder of the season in the NHL with them, this season was the opposite, as Bear was in the AHL with Hershey.
However, the former Canuck used his demotion to the American Hockey League as motivation to help him land a new NHL contract this summer and he went on to finish the 2024-25 campaign with 46 points (ten goals, 36 assists) in 62 games.
Leading up to the trade deadline, the Washington Capitals were open to trading Bear, however they opted not to move him ahead of March 7th and kept him as they searched for their third straight Calder Cup.
There's no question that Bear will land an NHL contract somewhere in early July, however given the depth the Vancouver Canucks have now, it's unlikely that the two sides could reunite, unless he wants to spend another year down in the AHL.
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