Ethan Bear situation in Carolina expected to clear up soon
After seeking a trade this summer from the Carolina Hurricanes, nothing has materialized for defenceman Ethan Bear and he continues to be a healthy scratch.
The 25-year-old has yet to play this season and wants to get into game action as soon as possible.
During the 32 Thoughts segment on Hockey Night in Canada, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman said that Bear's situation with the Hurricanes is expected to clear up soon, via trade, waivers or possibly getting into their lineup.
"Now something similar is playing out with the Carolina Hurricanes and Ethan Bear, who's not yet played this year. Again, I don't think this is anything nefarious, the Hurricanes are icing their best roster, they think, but Bear wants to play, he hasn't played yet." Friedman said.
He added, "Now from what I've been told, the Hurricanes are telling other teams, 'look we don't have a cap problem. We're not keeping 50% of Ethan Bear's salary if we're not getting a good return or we're getting a minimal return. We believe this is an NHL player.'
They've been close a couple of times, I think Vancouver was one of the teams, but Bear wants to play. So either in the next little while, someone's going to make the offer better to make Carolina say yes or maybe he gets in the lineup or maybe he goes on waivers. But I also think this one is coming to a head because Bear just wants to play, like any player would."
He added, "Now from what I've been told, the Hurricanes are telling other teams, 'look we don't have a cap problem. We're not keeping 50% of Ethan Bear's salary if we're not getting a good return or we're getting a minimal return. We believe this is an NHL player.'
They've been close a couple of times, I think Vancouver was one of the teams, but Bear wants to play. So either in the next little while, someone's going to make the offer better to make Carolina say yes or maybe he gets in the lineup or maybe he goes on waivers. But I also think this one is coming to a head because Bear just wants to play, like any player would."
Bear, a native of Regina, appeared in 58 games for the Hurricanes last season, recording 14 points (five goals, nine assists), 20 penalty minutes and was a plus-one.
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