Report: Canucks have been told they’re out on UFA Ethan Bear; ‘keep an eye on Jalen Chatfield’

Dhaliwal expanded on his report on today’s episode of Donnie and Dhali — The Team on Chek TV.

“The Canucks were hoping to get Bear on a one year deal at around $1 million. It’s not happening. The Canucks have been told on the weekend they are out on Bear. The price for Bear went up through competition. This is a player the Canucks really wanted. Even on a one year, Bear is expected to get $1.5 million pro-rated two-year deal. On a two-year deal, he’s expected to get over $2 million a year. Bear is expected to get term in this deal, numbers the Canucks can’t compete with because they’ve got salary cap issues.”

The Canucks and Bear talked about a three year deal late last year before he wasn’t qualified. They were not far apart, but talks broke down at the end but they were there, just about done — that three year deal broke down. Now, everyone thinks he’s going to Washington, which I think is accurate.”

On Saturday, Elliotte Friedman reported that the Washington Capitals had made a “really strong bid” and were among the finalists who might sign Bear.

Following his report, Dhaliwal mentioned that the Canucks are still in on Chris Tanev, and threw a name out there that is familiar to Canucks fans — Jalen Chatfield.

“They are still interested in Chris Tanev,” added Dhaliwal. “Another right shot defenceman I want you to keep an eye on is UFA Jalen Chatfield, he’s under a million dollars. Carolina was just in town on the weekend. I’ll tell you why Chatfield works: He’s under a million, and he’s a UFA. He’s talking contract extension with Carolina, I don’t think they’re close. But I just want you to keep that’s another player I would tell you to keep an eye on… Rod Brind’Amour was on our show raving about [Chatfield’s] size, speed, skating, skill. There’s two things the Canucks’ coaches love, and it’s size and skating, and Chatfield fills that. He’s relatively cheap, he’s not making a ton of money. He would fit in the cap in two seconds. So that’s another big thing when it comes to Chatfield.”

Chatfield started his pro career with the Canucks organization, mainly with the AHL’s Utica Comets. After three seasons with Utica, Chatfield appeared in 18 games with the big club during the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season. Tallying just one assist and a -11 plus-minus rating, Chatfield didn’t do much to make the Canucks feel he was a player worth keeping, as they allowed him to walk in free agency. That summer, the Hurricanes signed him to a one-year, two-way deal .

In January 2022, the Canes signed Chatfield to a two-year extension with an NHL cap hit of $762,500. That deal is set to expire at the end of this season, meaning Chatfield will become an unrestricted free agent once again.

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