The New York Islanders revealed this morning that they had signed defenseman Ethan Bear to a one-year, two-way contract, which speaks as much to Bear’s next chapter as it does to the Oilers’ future.
There isn’t a lot of news coverage for two-way agreements. But this is important to Edmonton fans who are still coming to terms with what occurred in April.
Bear went on to spend his formative years with the Oilers organization. Stan Bowman, the general manager, did not bring him back. The blueline was rebuilt around other pieces, and a player who wore orange and blue is now playing for Peter DeBoer’s team on Long Island across the continent.
That’s the portion that warrants a second glance.
Edmonton had a genuine defensive depth issue last season. Only 53 games were played by Jake Walman, who ended with -17. Darnell Nurse, with a cap charge of $9.25 million, only recorded 24 points and had a -12 rating during the regular season.
With 93 points and 14th overall, the Oilers’ record was 41-30-11. On paper, not awful. But Anaheim defeated them in six games in the series, eliminating them in the first round.
The Oilers’ blue line depth was revealed when it counted most.
The defensive group appeared weak during that playoff run in comparison to Mattias Ekholm and Evan Bouchard. Bouchard was outstanding, scoring 95 points from the back. Ekholm was a calming presence at +32.
The drop-off was significant following those two. That is why Bowman did not renew Bear’s contract.
In the meanwhile, the Islanders concluded with 43-34-5 and were ranked 19th overall. Like every contender eventually must, Mathieu Darche is slowly but surely building depth.
A two-way arrangement comes at little cost. Nevertheless, it serves a purpose. What Edmonton was missing last spring is precisely that.
The Islanders beat the Oilers twice this season, losing both games: 2-4 in New York in October, and 0-1 at home in January. From elsewhere, Bear observed those games.
The next time these two teams play each other, he will be on the ice. Not a dramatic turn. It just demonstrates how roster choices have an impact.
Bowman has more difficult choices to make. The cap is intricate. Bouchard is $10.5 million, Draisaitl is $14 million, and McDavid is $12.5 million. The possibility of deep signers is low.
Regardless of whether allowing Bear to stroll was the correct move, the Islanders just improved their blue line for almost nothing. They might wish they had done the same thing in Edmonton.
Leave a Reply