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New York Islanders Sign Defenseman Ethan Bear to One-Year Two-Way Extension
The New York Islanders confirmed Monday that veteran defenseman Ethan Bear will stay on for the 2026‑27 campaign, signing a one‑year, two‑way contract that keeps him in the organization through the end of the 2025‑26 season. The deal, effective immediately, allows Bear to play at either the NHL or AHL level.
Bear, 28, was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the fifth round of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. He has appeared in 275 NHL games over the course of his career, most recently with the Washington Capitals in March 2024. In the 2025‑26 season he spent the majority of his time with the Bridgeport Islanders, the AHL affiliate of New York. An upper‑body injury in training camp limited him to 40 regular‑season games, during which he recorded four goals and 23 assists – the highest point total among Bridgeport’s defensemen.
Prior to his time in Bridgeport, Bear had three separate stints in the NHL. He played 71 games for Edmonton in 2019‑20, 58 games for the Carolina Hurricanes in 2021‑22, and 61 games for the Vancouver Canucks in 2022‑23. After being waived by Washington in October 2024, he cleared waivers and was assigned to the Hershey Bears for the 2024‑25 season, where he earned a selection to the AHL All‑Star Game.
The Islanders’ decision to extend Bear is part of a broader effort to shore up depth on the blue line ahead of the upcoming free‑agency period. While the team has a solid core on the left side – featuring Calder Trophy winner Matthew Schaefer, veteran Adam Pelech, and a recovering Alexander Romanov – the right side remains a question. Ryan Pulock and Scott Mayfield are the only players the organization can count on for the remainder of the season.
New York’s front office has also announced that captain Anders Lee will be entering free agency on July 1, and veteran forward Tony D’Angelo will also be a free agent. The Islanders have not yet indicated whether they will pursue a trade for either player or retain them on a new contract.
Bridgeport’s status as the Islanders’ AHL affiliate is also in flux. The team will relocate to Hamilton, Ontario, after the 2025‑26 season and become the Hamilton Hammers. The move is part of a long‑term strategy to align the AHL affiliate more closely with the parent club’s geographic footprint.
Bear’s extension does not guarantee an NHL roster spot. The two‑way nature of the contract means he can be assigned to Bridgeport without affecting the team’s salary‑cap status. Nonetheless, the Islanders have expressed confidence in his ability to contribute at the AHL level and to provide depth should injuries or call‑ups create a need.
The organization’s depth chart for the 2025‑26 season lists Bear as a potential backup on the right side. If injuries occur or if the team needs to shuffle players during the long NHL season, Bear’s experience in both the NHL and AHL could prove valuable.
Looking ahead, the Islanders will need to address several roster gaps before the trade deadline. The team’s management has indicated that they are monitoring free‑agency options and are open to making moves that will strengthen the roster for a playoff push. Bear’s contract, which is worth $775,000 at the NHL level, is a modest addition that preserves cap flexibility.
In summary, the Islanders’ one‑year, two‑way extension of Ethan Bear is a low‑risk move aimed at maintaining organizational depth on defense. Bear’s recent performance with Bridgeport, combined with his NHL experience, makes him a useful asset should the team require additional depth on the right side. The Islanders will continue to evaluate their roster as the season progresses and as the free‑agency window opens.
The next major event for the team will be the trade deadline, where the Islanders may seek to add veteran presence or prospect depth. Until then, Bear’s role will likely remain at the AHL level, with the possibility of NHL call‑ups if circumstances demand.
The Islanders’ front office has not yet released any statements regarding future contract negotiations for Bear beyond the current extension. The organization’s focus remains on building a competitive roster for the 2026‑27 season while managing cap space and maintaining depth throughout the organization.
As the season continues, the Islanders will monitor Bear’s performance with Bridgeport and assess whether his skill set aligns with the team’s long‑term defensive strategy. The organization’s depth on the right side will remain a key area of focus as they prepare for the next phase of roster construction.
Bear, 28, was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the fifth round of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. He has appeared in 275 NHL games over the course of his career, most recently with the Washington Capitals in March 2024. In the 2025‑26 season he spent the majority of his time with the Bridgeport Islanders, the AHL affiliate of New York. An upper‑body injury in training camp limited him to 40 regular‑season games, during which he recorded four goals and 23 assists – the highest point total among Bridgeport’s defensemen.
Prior to his time in Bridgeport, Bear had three separate stints in the NHL. He played 71 games for Edmonton in 2019‑20, 58 games for the Carolina Hurricanes in 2021‑22, and 61 games for the Vancouver Canucks in 2022‑23. After being waived by Washington in October 2024, he cleared waivers and was assigned to the Hershey Bears for the 2024‑25 season, where he earned a selection to the AHL All‑Star Game.
The Islanders’ decision to extend Bear is part of a broader effort to shore up depth on the blue line ahead of the upcoming free‑agency period. While the team has a solid core on the left side – featuring Calder Trophy winner Matthew Schaefer, veteran Adam Pelech, and a recovering Alexander Romanov – the right side remains a question. Ryan Pulock and Scott Mayfield are the only players the organization can count on for the remainder of the season.
New York’s front office has also announced that captain Anders Lee will be entering free agency on July 1, and veteran forward Tony D’Angelo will also be a free agent. The Islanders have not yet indicated whether they will pursue a trade for either player or retain them on a new contract.
Bridgeport’s status as the Islanders’ AHL affiliate is also in flux. The team will relocate to Hamilton, Ontario, after the 2025‑26 season and become the Hamilton Hammers. The move is part of a long‑term strategy to align the AHL affiliate more closely with the parent club’s geographic footprint.
Bear’s extension does not guarantee an NHL roster spot. The two‑way nature of the contract means he can be assigned to Bridgeport without affecting the team’s salary‑cap status. Nonetheless, the Islanders have expressed confidence in his ability to contribute at the AHL level and to provide depth should injuries or call‑ups create a need.
The organization’s depth chart for the 2025‑26 season lists Bear as a potential backup on the right side. If injuries occur or if the team needs to shuffle players during the long NHL season, Bear’s experience in both the NHL and AHL could prove valuable.
Looking ahead, the Islanders will need to address several roster gaps before the trade deadline. The team’s management has indicated that they are monitoring free‑agency options and are open to making moves that will strengthen the roster for a playoff push. Bear’s contract, which is worth $775,000 at the NHL level, is a modest addition that preserves cap flexibility.
In summary, the Islanders’ one‑year, two‑way extension of Ethan Bear is a low‑risk move aimed at maintaining organizational depth on defense. Bear’s recent performance with Bridgeport, combined with his NHL experience, makes him a useful asset should the team require additional depth on the right side. The Islanders will continue to evaluate their roster as the season progresses and as the free‑agency window opens.
The next major event for the team will be the trade deadline, where the Islanders may seek to add veteran presence or prospect depth. Until then, Bear’s role will likely remain at the AHL level, with the possibility of NHL call‑ups if circumstances demand.
The Islanders’ front office has not yet released any statements regarding future contract negotiations for Bear beyond the current extension. The organization’s focus remains on building a competitive roster for the 2026‑27 season while managing cap space and maintaining depth throughout the organization.
As the season continues, the Islanders will monitor Bear’s performance with Bridgeport and assess whether his skill set aligns with the team’s long‑term defensive strategy. The organization’s depth on the right side will remain a key area of focus as they prepare for the next phase of roster construction.
