Oilers re-sign RFA Ethan Bear to 2-year, $4M deal

The Edmonton Oilers have re-signed restricted free agent defenseman Ethan Bear to a 2-year contract worth $4 million, the team announced.

Bear emerged as a reliable option on the blue line for the Oilers in 2019-20, averaging over 21 minutes per game while suiting up for 71 contests. He tallied 21 points and played to a -4 plus/minus over that stretch, earning a few Calder Trophy votes alongside other rookie standouts.

Born and raised in Saskatchewan, Bear was a fifth-round pick in Edmonton's 2015 draft class.

The 23-year-old figures to be in line for a significant role in the Oilers' defensive corps when the upcoming campaign gets underway, potentially even seeing top minutes alongside Darnell Nurse following the season-ending injury to Oscar Klefbom.