The Detroit Red Wings finally made a move in free agency, signing defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker to a deal. It's a small contract, going for just one year and $875,000, but Bernard-Docker is a player you don't want to underestimate.
Wings fans may be familiar with him, since he played in a part-time role with the Ottawa Senators in 2024-25 before the Sens traded him to the Buffalo Sabres. And Bernard-Docker put up some good numbers with the Blue and Gold,
He appeared in 15 games with the Sabres, and put up four points and a goal. That doesn't seem like much, but he also finished with a plus-3 rating and blocked 25 shots. If the Red Wings need anything defensively right now, it's another shot-block artist.
Signing Jacob Bernard-Docker's not a flashy move, but a necessary one for the Red Wings
This move's not flashy at all, since many will point to the fact Bernard-Docker only played in one full-time season with the Senators, which occurred in 2023-24 when he appeared in 72 contests. He logged just four goals and 14 points, to go with a minus-7.
But he was relatively physical that season, landing 62 body checks and an unprecedented 156 blocks across 15:42 of average total ice time. Not bad for a defensive defenseman with two-way potential, and one who is entering his age-25 season.
Being such a young player, Bernard-Docker still has a lot of room to grow. And he could be an upgrade over the failure that was Justin Holl, who all but proved in 2024-25 that he wasn't a good fit for the Wings. If that didn't already become evident the year before.
So, what can you expect from Bernard-Docker? I'd project lower third-pairing minutes here, between 15 and 16 per game. But, if he proves to pick up where he left off during his time with the Sabres, his ice time can and should increase.
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