Report: Washington Capitals Exploring Ethan Bear Trade

During a recent episode of TSN Insider Trading, NHL insider Chris Johnston reported that the Washington Capitals are exploring potential trade options with defenseman Ethan Bear.

"Ethan Bear has had a very strong year down with the Hershey Bears," Johnston said. "A top team in the American Hockey League. At this point in time, it does sound as though they're willing to explore a trade for Bear... Bear is in the last year of his existing contract. Obviously, he'd love to work his way back to an NHL team. It does sound as though that Washington is willing to accommodate trying to find him a place to play for the remainder of this season."

Bear, 27, has spent the entirety of this season in the AHL with the Bears and has yet to make his season debut with the Capitals. In 46 games with the Bears this season, he has eight goals, 33 points, and a plus-22 rating.

Bear played in 24 games with the Capitals this past season, where he had one goal, four points, and a minus-5 rating.

When noting that Bear has had past success in the NHL and is a six-year veteran, it seems possible that a team could be willing to take a shot on him if they need more defensive depth. In 275 career NHL games split between the Edmonton Oilers, Carolina Hurricanes, Vancouver Canucks, and Capitals, he has 17 goals, 50 assists, 67 points, and a minus-14 rating.

We will need to wait and see if the Capitals end up trading Bear before the deadline passes from here.