The Detroit Red Wings on Sunday assigned defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker to the Grand Rapids Griffins after he cleared waivers.
The 26-year-old defenseman hasn't played in a game this season after sustaining an upper-body injury during the preseason.
Last season, he scored a goal and added four assists in 63 games for the Red Wings. A native of Canmore, Alberta, Bernard-Docker's last AHL appearance came during the 2023-24 season with the Belleville Senators.
The first-round pick of the Ottawa Senators in the 2018 NHL draft, Bernard-Docker signed a one-year, $875,000 deal with the Red Wings on July 1, 2025. Less than a year later, he extended for two more years at a $1.6 million cap hit that runs through the 2027-28 season.
Simon Edvinsson signing coming soon?
With the news of Simon Edvinsson returning to the United States last week, there was speculation about whether a deal was in the works to sign the restricted free agent.
The Red Wings already have eight other defensemen on the active roster, so it made sense to waive Bernard-Docker if Edvinsson is indeed going to sign soon.
Andreas Englund, who Detroit picked up from waivers earlier this season, could have been the other option. William Wallinder likely wouldn't have cleared.
As of Sunday afternoon, no deal for Edvinsson has been announced, so it'll be something to monitor during the next week.
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