High hopes were on defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker when the Ottawa Senators selected him with the 26th overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft.
Bernard-Docker had some struggles early into his career, but started to show progress last season for the Senators. Then, Bernard-Docker suffered an ankle injury in January 2025. Two months later, Bernard-Docker was traded by the Senators to the Buffalo Sabres on March 7 in part of the Dylan Cozens-Josh Norris trade.
Despite making progress in Buffalo, the Sabres didn't give Bernard-Docker a qualifying offer. Bernard-Docker then became an unrestricted free agent this past free agency. Bernard-Docker then signed a one-year deal with the Detroit Red Wings. Now, the former Senator could shape out to be the sleeper the Red Wings were looking for.
JBD could be Red Wings sleeper in 2025-26
At 25 years old, Bernard-Docker is learning and maturing. Recently, Red Wings writer Drew Dykowski wrote an article two days ago on the former Senator.
Dykowski wrote an article for Octopus Thrower titled "Are Red Wings fans sleeping on Jacob Bernard-Docker's potential impact?" In his article, Dykoski spoke highly on the potential that Bernard-Docker could bring to Detroit.
Dykowski focused on Bernard-Docker's defensive abilities. Bernard-Docker is able to bring physicality, use his stick defensively and block shots. Detroit's defense was hurting all season long last season.
The Red Wings finished with the NHL's worst penalty kill last season with being just above 70 percent. Bernard-Docker can be a player that could improve the Red Wings' penalty kill if he was to get ice time. Bernard-Docker has been a penalty killer before in his career. After playing in 25 games last season in Ottawa, Bernard-Docker showed his importance on the ice in Buffalo after being traded over.
In 15 games played with the Sabres, Bernard-Docker recorded four points, 25 blocked shots and a +3 rating. Bernard-Docker recorded the same amount of blocked shots in Buffalo as he did in Ottawa while playing in 10 less games with Ottawa last season.
"The adage "defense is the best offense" applies to JBD as well," Dykoski said about Bernard-Docker.
Overall with the Senators and Sabres combined last season, Bernard-Docker recorded eight points, 50 blocked shots, 30 hits and a +5 rating. For a player who signed a one-year contract at $875,000, Bernard-Docker's play can bring solid value that the Red Wings hope can be used well.
Bernard-Docker will get the chance to be teammates again with former Senator Travis Hamonic in Detroit. However, with his progress made in 2024-25 in Ottawa and Buffalo, a fresh start for Bernard-Docker is something Detroit will be looking forward to seeing.