Ethan Bear is again within the NHL following shoulder surgical procedure after signing a two-year contract with the Washington Capitals.

General supervisor Brian MacLellan introduced the long-expected cope with the defenseman Thursday, simply over every week since Bear joined the Capitals for follow they usually confirmed their intent to signal him. The contract is price a pro-rated $4.125 million and carries a wage cap hit of $2.0625 million for the remainder of this season and the 2024-25 season.

“Being fully healthy now and putting the injury behind him, (he) could be a good fit for the organization,” coach Spencer Carbery mentioned not too long ago. “(He is) someone, I think, that can potentially, if all goes well, bring an added punch to our back end, especially offensively.”

Bear, who was injured representing Canada on the world championships final spring, mentioned he feels good and selected Washington partly as a result of the group was not speeding him again into recreation motion. It’s unclear when he would possibly make his season debut.

“Honestly felt like they really cared a lot and they want me here instead of needing me,” Bear mentioned after becoming a member of the Capitals for his or her morning skate on Dec. 20. “I can kind of get my legs under me, get thinking quick again to learn the system and kind of get to learn everyone’s tendencies instead of just kind of getting tossed into the fire, so I really appreciate that.”

The 26-year-old is becoming a member of his fourth NHL group after beginning with Edmonton and taking part in one-season stints with Carolina and Vancouver. The Canucks didn't tender Bear a restricted free agent provide final summer time following the damage, relinquishing his rights and releasing him to signal with any group.

He selected the Capitals, one of many league’s oldest groups, over a number of suitors. Washington is within the playoff combine within the Eastern Conference greater than a 3rd of the way in which by way of the season.

“It’s a good group of guys,” Bear mentioned. “(They) have a really good culture here where it’s a good mix. Everyone feels like they’re pulling their weight; everyone’s doing their job.”

Bear provides the Capitals additional depth on the blue line with a right-handed shot who has averaged almost 19 minutes a recreation all through his profession. Bear has 63 factors in 259 regular-season and playoff video games.

“It just gives us, I feel like, a young player that’s still just scratching the surface,” Carbery mentioned.

The Capitals are additionally anticipated to quickly get a lift up entrance with the season debut of winger Max Pacioretty, who's coming off re-tearing his proper Achilles tendon in January. They subsequent play on the New York Islanders on Friday.

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