When the Ottawa Senators drafted defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker 26th overall in the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft, the Senators had hoped Bernard-Docker would turn into a solid player for being a late first rounder. Unfortunately, Bernard-Docker didn't turn into the player the Senators had hoped.
Bernard-Docker ended up playing in 129 career games with the Senators and recorded 20 points during his tenure. After earlier rumors that the Nashville Predators were interested in Bernard-Docker at the NHL Trade Deadline, the Senators traded away Bernard-Docker along with Josh Norris to the Buffalo Sabres on March 7.
At the time of the trade, Bernard-Docker had only recorded four points in 25 games played this season with the Senators. Before getting traded, Bernard-Docker did show early signs of consistency, but it wouldn't last long. Bernard-Docker last played for the Senators on Dec. 28 as he suffered a high ankle sprain in January. Now, the Sabres have the same issue with Bernard-Docker as the Senators did.
Bernard-Docker has yet to play in one Buffalo game
It's been exactly two weeks since Bernard-Docker was traded to the Sabres. However, even with 14 days to learn a new system and get used to new teammates, Bernard-Docker has yet to play a game for the Sabres since being traded.
What was once an Ottawa problem is now Buffalo's problem. Ottawa had issues on when to play Bernard-Docker this season to let him grow. Bernard-Docker didn't crack the opening night roster in October, but he did get inserted into the lineup in the fourth game of the season, but it was due to Artem Zub having a concussion.
When Zub was healthy to return, Bernard-Docker was scratched over Travis Hamonic who was struggling. Bernard-Docker wouldn't play in the Senators' next six games when Zub returned, but got a chance to play against the Vegas Golden Knights on Nov. 21, a game in which Hamonic was not in the lineup, but Bernard-Docker finished that Vegas game with a -2 rating.
Bernard-Docker was then scratched the next game two nights later against the Vancouver Canucks, but was then back in the lineup the following game against the Calgary Flames. After the Flames game, Bernard-Docker played in the next 14 consecutive games for Ottawa. In those 15 games, Bernard-Docker recorded just two points.
On Jan. 6, Bernard-Docker suffered a high ankle sprain. Prior to his ankle strain, Bernard-Docker didn't play in the Senators last three games.
Prior to this season, Bernard-Docker had trouble getting full-time NHL play. Playing in 74 games last season to then playing in 25 games this season may have been signs that the Senators had issues playing Bernard-Docker full-time. Prior to that, Bernard-Docker played in 32 combined games from 2020-2023. Now, the Sabres have the issue with Bernard-Docker on when to play him.
The Sabres have played six games since the trade, but the team hasn't inserted Bernard-Docker into the lineup once. Even with the Sabres having a 27-34-6 record and out of playoff contention, the Sabres are still not playing Bernard-Docker to give him a chance.
Dennis Gilbert, who was acquired by the Senators in the trade, was able to play one game for the Senators before Bernard-Docker was able to play one game with the Sabres.
With how Bernard-Docker having yet to play a game in Buffalo, Ottawa has an issue off its shoulders with Bernard-Docker not being on the team anymore.