The Ottawa Senators drafted defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker with the 26th overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft. For being a late first-round draft pick, the Senators still had high hopes for the Canmore, Alberta, native.
Unfortunately, Bernard-Docker's tenure was a rough one for the Senators. Bernard-Docker recorded 20 points in 129 career games with the Senators.
On March 7, Bernard-Docker's tenure ended when he was traded along with Josh Norris to the Buffalo Sabres. However, what some might find shocking is that Bernard-Docker has helped the Sabres when inserted into the lineup.
Sabres are winning with Bernard-Docker in the lineup
Bernard-Docker's tenure in Buffalo started rough when he went pointless in his team debut on March 22 against the Minnesota Wild. Since then, Bernard-Docker has made a big impact on the Sabres.
In the very next game against the Winnipeg Jets after going pointless in his Sabres debut, Bernard-Docker recorded his first two-point game in his NHL career by recording two assists. Bernard-Docker helped the Sabres record a 5-3 upset win in Manitoba.
Then the very next game after the Jets game, Bernard-Docker got to stick it to his old team when he scored a goal against the Senators in the Sabres' 3-2 win against the Senators on March 27.
🚨 JACOB BERNARD-DOCKER! 🚨
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) March 26, 2025
JBD's first goal as a Sabre ties us up 2-2! pic.twitter.com/c0AECJoSmX
Believe it or not, the Sabres are 6-2-0 this season when Bernard-Docker is in the lineup. In eight games as a Sabre, Bernard-Docker has recorded three points with a +3 rating.
Unfortunately for the Senators, it seems that the 24-year-old defenseman has fit in better in Buffalo than he did in Ottawa.
Bernard-Docker will be a restricted free agent after this season. With how his Sabres tenure has gone despite it only being eight games, Bernard-Docker has made a strong impact for the Sabres to offer him a contract to stay in Buffalo.