Ethan Bear doesn't appear to be returning to the Washington Capitals, and per reports, will move on as he hits free agency on July 1.
Per CHEK's Rick Dhaliwal, the Capitals have granted Bear permission to speak with other teams before becoming a UFA, and there appears to be a lot of interest for the right-handed blueliner.
Bear's tenure in D.C. wasn't straightforward. After recovering from shoulder surgery and joining the team mid-season in 2024, he appeared in 24 games for the Capitals and had a goal and three assists, along with a plus/minus rating of minus-5. However, his year was cut short when he entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program due to undiagnosed anxiety and depression.
He was able to get back to 100 percent and returned to training camp as a rejuvenated player, but he wasn't able to make the opening night roster and spent the entirety of the regular season down with the AHL's Hershey Bears.
Still, the 27-year-old made the most of it, as he just wanted to play hockey again and rekindle his joy for the game. He did just that and put up impressive numbers, as he had 10 goals and 36 assists for 46 points in 62 games, along with a plus/minus rating of plus-33. He was an AHL All-Star, too.
Bear was called up to the Capitals to serve as an extra defenseman for the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs with Martin Fehervary requiring knee surgery, but he didn't draw into the lineup and went the entire season without playing an NHL game.
That said, a change of scenery appears best for Bear as he looks to get back to playing NHL minutes. As for the Capitals, they may want to look for another depth defenseman to provide some insurance going into next season.
