"4 or 5 Teams" Considering UFA Ethan Bear

Ethan Bear continues his rehab from a shoulder injury, and the latest word is that while several teams are interested, he'll be ready to sign a new contract sometime in November, and be ready to play by December. 

The unrestricted free agent defenseman had surgery on his shoulder back in June after suffering the injury playing for Canada at the IIHF Worlds. 

According to Vancouver Canucks Insider Rick Dhaliwal, the team is "still in on" Bear, and perhaps the cap space they're trying to clear is earmarked to bring the D-man back at somewhere under $2 million. 

Are the #Canucks trying to clear cap space to bring back Ethan Bear?@DonTaylor5 and @DhaliwalSports talked about that in our opening segment. https://t.co/h4e2SKM7eJ pic.twitter.com/osvLpN4jWq

— Donnie & Dhali (@DonnieandDhali) October 16, 2023

Bear was a strong defender on the Canucks blueline for 61 games last season, adding three goals and 16 points while averaging 18:32 of ice time, but the team didn't tender him a qualifying offer after the shoulder injury, making him a UFA. 

Earlier this month, Dhaliwal reported that there were "four or five teams in the mix" to sign the 26-year-old, including the Canucks. 

Meanwhile, Bear continues to rehab in Kelowna, BC, and his agent has said that he's "in no rush" to sign until he's completely recovered. 

Photo: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports