Carter Bear signs Entry Level Contract
Last week, the Detroit Red Wings released their 2025-2026 schedule. There was also an important piece of business that was finalized for the Red Wings. 2025 first round pick Carter Bear signed his entry level contract.
Carter Bear made an impression on the Red Wings staff during the prospect camp held after the draft. The six foot center/left wing has a powerful frame and an impressive work ethic. Assistant GM Kris Draper was quoted by NHL.com as saying:
“We really like the way he thinks the game. We appreciate the compete and relentlessness on the puck. He also has the ability to make a lot of plays.”
Carter Bear fills a gap for Detroit
The Red Wings may have found a core piece in selecting Bear. The top six currently has three players in and around the 30 goal mark. Dylan Larkin, Lucas Raymond and Alex Debrincat are high contributors, but there is a missing element. The Wings need some grit to find the next level.
Bear scored 82 points (40 goals, 42 assists) in 56 games last season. Just as important as the numbers is his on ice presence and attack. The left shot centerman/winger is relentless and puts everything on the line to win.
The Atlantic Division sees the Florida Panthers as the model of success currently. The team has scoring and defense for certain, but the Panthers will punish other teams on the attack. That missing component to Detroit’s game may be addressed in the future with Bear’s presence.
CBA makes big change to the AHL
Shortly before Bear signed his contract, details of the new Collective Bargaining agreement were released. One, in particular, stands as exciting news for young prospects. In the future, 19 year old players will be able to be assigned the the AHL.
The clause still needs to be approved by the CHL, but it was agreed upon by the NHL and the NHLPA. Each team will be able to assign one 19 year old prospect to the AHL, listed as “on loan” from their CHL team. Unfortunately for Bear, this isn’t available for the upcoming season.
Bear will turn 19 in November, and feels like a prime example of a player that could benefit from the change. A player that is ready for the next level in playing, but not quite NHL ready yet. For pro junior players in North America under 20, that gap in available competition is far too great.
If healthy, it feels as if Bear would have been a prime candidate to start the year in the AHL. Scoring at over a point per game last year, Bear had 25 more points in 11 fewer games played (cut short by injury). It seems as if his development would be far better served by that opportunity to pay against near NHL ready talent.
It would be an even bigger boost to see the rule expanded to 18 year old prospects as well. However, being able to move a prospect into the AHL at 19 should see some exciting adds in the coming seasons. The game is getting faster and younger, and this change feels like a step in the right direction.
Carter has tons of upside.
Absolutely! At the draft, two things stood out. Broad shouldered when he got up on the stage, and his response in the interview. As much as the talent, Bear seems to be passionate about the game. He’s going to wear the team logo on his chest and lay it all out on the ice. Detroit added a special player to the pipeline.