Red Wings' Jacob Bernard-Docker: Lacking offense in part-time role
Rotowire
Bernard-Docker's point drought is up to 10 games after he was held scoreless in Thursday's 6-5 shootout loss to the Blue Jackets.
Bernard-Docker has been scratched 12 times during his drought, though he has played in seven of the last 12 contests. The 25-year-old is competing with Travis Hamonic for the last spot on the blue line, leading to minimal fantasy appeal for both players. Bernard-Docker is at one assist, 20 shots on net, 15 hits, 15 blocked shots and a plus-1 rating over 15 appearances this season.
... See More... See Less
Red Wings' Jacob Bernard-Docker: Collects first helper
Rotowire
Bernard-Docker recorded an assist in Sunday's 4-2 win over the Oilers.
Bernard-Docker earned his first helper in five outings this season. The 25-year-old appears to have momentum to keep a third-pairing spot over Travis Hamonic early in the season. Bernard-Docker had eight points in 40 regular-season appearances between Ottawa and Buffalo last year, and he offers minimal upside in fantasy since he doesn't add much in the way of non-scoring production.
... See More... See Less
Red Wings' Jacob Bernard-Docker: Signs with Detroit
Rotowire
Bernard-Docker signed a one-year, $875,000 with the Red Wings on Tuesday.
Bernard-Docker wasn't tendered a qualifying offer from the Sabres on Monday, but it didn't take long for him to find a new home. The right-shot defenseman supplied two goals and eight points over 40 regular-season contests between Ottawa and Buffalo in 2024-25. The 25-year-old will likely have to compete with Justin Holl and Ian Mitchell for a spot on the third pairing in 2025-26.
... See More... See Less
Jacob Bernard-Docker: Will hit open market Tuesday
Rotowire
Bernard-Docker wasn't tendered a qualifying offer from the Sabres on Monday, according to Bill Hoppe of the Olean Times Herald.
After appearing in 25 regular-season games with Ottawa last season, Bernard-Docker was dealt to Buffalo at the trade deadline. He put up four points with each club, albeit in 10 fewer games with the Sabres. The 2018 first-round selection, No. 26 overall, will now be an unrestricted free agent, and he should have no problem finding a new home in a depth role for the 2025-26 campaign.
... See More... See Less
Sabres' Jacob Bernard-Docker: Registers assist Thursday
Rotowire
Bernard-Docker logged an assist, four shots on goal, two hits, two PIM and a plus-2 rating in Thursday's 5-4 win over the Flyers.
The helper ended an 11-game point drought for Bernard-Docker. The 24-year-old defenseman lost a large chunk of his season to an ankle injury, which limited him to 40 games between the Sabres and the Senators. He picked up eight points, 32 shots on net, 30 hits, 50 blocked shots and a plus-5 rating. A first-round pick back in 2018, Bernard-Docker is running out of developmental runway -- it's quite possible his peak is that of a bottom-four defenseman who adds little on offense.
... See More... See Less
Sabres' Jacob Bernard-Docker: Attends practice Friday
Rotowire
Bernard-Docker (not injury related) practiced for the first time with the Sabres on Friday, Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News reports.
Bernard-Docker's work visa issues have been resolved, allowing him to join his new team at practice. However, there's no guarantee he'll be in the lineup on a regular basis going forward. He could draw in for Jacob Bryson (upper body) in Saturday's matinee game versus the Golden Knights.
... See More... See Less
Sabres' Jacob Bernard-Docker: Still not available
Rotowire
Bernard-Docker (not injury related) won't play Wednesday versus the Red Wings, Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News reports.
Bernard-Docker is awaiting his work visa following his trade from the Senators last week. The Sabres didn't hold a morning skate Wednesday, but he can't practice with the team until the immigration paperwork is completed. The Sabres' next game is Saturday against the Golden Knights.
... See More... See Less
Sabres' Jacob Bernard-Docker: Shuffles off to Buffalo
Rotowire
The Sabres acquired Bernard-Docker and Josh Norris from Ottawa for Dylan Cozens, Dennis Gilbert and a second-round pick in 2026 on Friday.
Bernard-Docker last played Dec. 28, when he suffered a high-ankle sprain. He was taken off injured reserve Saturday and has been a healthy scratch the last three games. Bernard-Docker had a goal and four points in 25 appearances before the trade. He will likely be a third-pairing blueliner at best with the Sabres the rest of the season.
... See More... See Less
Senators' Jacob Bernard-Docker: Shifts to LTIR
Rotowire
Bernard-Docker (ankle) was transferred to long-term injured reserve Sunday, according to PuckPedia.
Bernard-Docker suffered a high-ankle sprain in practice Jan. 6. In his stead, Nikolas Matinpalo has received consistent playing time. Bernard-Docker will be hard-pressed to earn a spot in the lineup once he returns to full strength -- Nick Jensen (undisclosed) is nearing a return and will most likely round out Ottawa's six blueliners. Bernard-Docker has contributed one goal and three helpers across 25 appearances this campaign.
... See More... See Less
Senators' Jacob Bernard-Docker: Placed on injured reserve
Rotowire
Bernard-Docker (ankle) was placed on injured reserve Friday, per the NHL media site.
Bernard-Docker was injured during practice Monday and had to be helped off the ice with a high-ankle sprain. The 24-year-old defenseman was replaced in the lineup by Nikolas Matinpalo on the third unit. Expect Bernard-Docker to be out until after the 4 Nation Face-Off tournament in February. Bernard-Docker had a goal and three assists in 25 appearances with the Senators before his injury.
... See More... See Less
Senators' Jacob Bernard-Docker: Undergoing evaluation
Rotowire
Bernard-Docker needed to be helped off the ice at practice Monday and is undergoing further evaluation, Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia reports.
Bernard-Docker appeared to be headed for the press box for Tuesday's matchup with Detroit even prior to getting hurt, as Nikolas Matinpalo was skating on the third pairing. Still, if the 24-year-old Bernard-Docker can't play, the Senators may need to call up a player from the minors to at least serve as an emergency depth option.
... See More... See Less
Senators' Jacob Bernard-Docker: Nets first goal of season
Rotowire
Bernard-Docker scored a goal on two shots and went plus-2 in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Predators.
Bernard-Docker opened the scoring at 5:07 of the second period. The 24-year-old defenseman has been trusted with more standard third-pairing minutes lately, though his ice time tends to be limited in closer contests. He's at four points, 15 shots on net, 19 blocked shots and a plus-3 rating over 16 appearances.
... See More... See Less
Senators' Jacob Bernard-Docker: Secures helper despite loss
Rotowire
Bernard-Docker posted an assist to complement three blocked shots in Friday's 5-3 loss to the Coyotes.
Bernard-Docker was held without a point through nine NHL contests in February only to snap out of the slump with a primary helper to top-six forward Drake Batherson. Selected in the first round (No. 26 overall) of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, Bernard-Docker has the luxury of skating with Thomas Chobot on the second defensive pair, but the former doesn't see action on the power play with his running totals consisting of four goals and eight assists through 49 contests.
... See More... See Less
Senators' Jacob Bernard-Docker: Lights lamp Tuesday
Rotowire
Bernard-Docker scored a goal on two shots and blocked four shots in Tuesday's 6-3 loss to the Flames.
Bernard-Docker opened the scoring at 4:09 of the first period. The defenseman has three goals and an assist over his last eight games, though he was also scratched for one contest in that span. He may not be an everyday part of the lineup when Artem Zub (illness) is available again. Bernard-Docker is at eight points, 16 shots on net, 71 blocked shots and a plus-4 rating through 30 outings, playing primarily on the third pairing.
... See More... See Less
Senators' Jacob Bernard-Docker: Tallies third goal of 2023-24
Rotowire
Bernard-Docker netted a goal in a 6-2 loss to New Jersey on Friday.
Bernard-Docker found the back of the net midway through the third period, but his marker merely narrowed the Devils' lead to 5-2. The 23-year-old defenseman has three goals and six points in 26 contests this year. Bernard-Docker is likely to remain more noteworthy for his blocks -- he contributed four Friday, bringing him up to 66 this season -- than his offensive production.
... See More... See Less
Senators' Jacob Bernard-Docker: Finds twine Thursday
Rotowire
Bernard-Docker scored a goal on two shots in Thursday's 6-4 loss to the Avalanche.
Bernard-Docker had gone six games without a point since his first NHL tally versus the Maple Leafs on Dec. 7. The defenseman's second goal came on a shot that deflected off an Avalanche defender in the second period. Bernard-Docker is up to five points, 11 shots on net, 52 blocked shots, 17 hits and a plus-3 rating through 23 appearances this season. He'll likely continue to operate in a bottom-four role.
... See More... See Less
Senators' Jacob Bernard-Docker: Garners first assist this season
Rotowire
Bernard-Docker set up a Josh Norris goal in a 3-2 loss to LA on Thursday.
It was Bernard-Docker's first helper in five games this season. The defenseman managed only one assist in 19 games last season and has three career assists in 37 NHL games.
... See More... See Less
Senators' Jacob Bernard-Docker: Recalled from AHL
Rotowire
Bernard-Docker was brought up from AHL Belleville on Monday.
Bernard-Docker made his NHL season debut in Saturday's 5-2 loss to Detroit, logging 10:37 of ice time. If Artem Zub (upper body) can't play Tuesday against Buffalo, Benard-Docker should be in the lineup again.
... See More... See Less
Senators' Jacob Bernard-Docker: Sent down
Rotowire
Bernard-Docker was reassigned to AHL Belleville on Saturday.
Benard-Docker logged 10:37 of ice time during his season debut in Saturday's 5-2 loss to Detroit. If Artem Zub (upper body) can't play Tuesday against Buffalo, Benard-Docker may be brought back up for another appearance in the lineup.
... See More... See Less
Senators' Jacob Bernard-Docker: Waived Monday
Rotowire
Bernard-Docker was placed on waivers Monday.
Bernard-Docker has two assists in 32 career NHL games, including one assist in 19 contests last year. The 23-year-old was taken in the first round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.
