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Berard-Docker shows significant improvement at the blue line for the Red Wings, earning confidence in his performance. His development is crucial for the team's defensive strategy.
Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images
The post Red Wings Review: Berard-Docker Earns Confidence At Blue Line appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.
Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn ImagesTimothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images
Age: 25 (turns 26 in June)
Contract status: Signed through 2027-28, $1,600,000 per season
Last seasonās contribution: one goal, four assists in 63 games
Grade:Ā B
Bernard-Docker split the 2024-25 season with Ottawa and Buffalo and wasnāt tendered by the Sabres, which led to his signing with Detroit as a free agent last July. His only goal last season came against the Sabres during the Red Wingsā push for a playoff spot. He showed enough during the regular season to earn a two-year contract extension in late March that nearly doubled his salary.
A former first round pick by the Senators, Bernard-Docker fit in with Albert Johansson on the third defensive pair in Detroit.
Berard-Docker has shown significant improvement in his performance at the blue line, which has earned him confidence from the coaching staff.
His development is essential for the Red Wings' defensive strategy, potentially strengthening their overall performance.
Berard-Docker is a defenseman for the Red Wings, tasked with enhancing the team's defensive capabilities.
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āDock had a tough start,ā coach Todd McLellan said. āPart of that start is his doing and the other half of it is us trying to figure out a way to get confident in him. When we went to a steady rotation, he felt like he wasnāt going to be in and out, and he really settled in. Dockās biggest asset is just his simplicity. Heās physically strong. He might not be 6ā6ā, but whatever he has is strong. He wins a lot of, both him and Albert in that pair, a lot of tight battles often against bigger players. So, heās been good for us. Good penalty killer, too.ā
McLellan added that he feels the duo of Bernard-Docker and Johansson complement each other well.
āDock is heavy and strong, and Albertās got good mobility, good escape skills when heās under pressure and some good vision up ice,ā McLellan said. āSo, between the two of them, they play well together.ā
Bernard-Docker has a cannon of a shot, but hasnāt been a big part of the Red Wings offense, with just five points last year. He graded out even in plus-minus at 0 for the season.
His 63 games last season were the second-most of his career, and the Red Wings are counting on hims to continue to develop, as evidenced by the two-year contract extension.
āFor me, itās just trying to play solid and the best version of my game that I can be every game,ā said Bernard-Docker. āJust solid defensively, moving pucks, being hard to play against. Those are kind of my core values as a player, so I just try to bring that.ā
He will be Detroitās top eight, but he will have to battle for playing time, probably with William Wallinder, but maybe with Anton Johansson and/or Axel Sandin Pellikka
The post Red Wings Review: Berard-Docker Earns Confidence At Blue Line appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.