Detroit Red Wings: 4 players packing their bags at the Trade Deadline
By Bob Heyrman
Will Detroit Red Wings goaltender Jonathan Bernier be traded?
After spending the last couple of weeks injured, Jonathan Bernier returns to the Detroit Red Wings just in time to play a couple of games before the trade deadline.
It wasn’t exactly how you’d like to see a potential trade target return to the lineup, but it was good to see Bernier lead the Red Wings onto the ice Thursday night in Nashville. The Predators thrashed the Red Wings to the tune of 7-1.
There is only so much a netminder can do when he’s under such an onslaught of scoring chances. It’s a Red Wings team that doesn’t just struggle to score; they are atrocious in their own zone. I’ve never seen a team at any level forced to use the majority of their energy just trying to exit the defensive zone.
It’s amazing when you think about it. For years Detorit had excellent puck-moving defenders like Nick Lidstrom, Brian Rafalski, Chris Chelios, Niklas Kronwall, etc. Clearly, the team had a host of impressive forwards, too, but this organization has struggled in all three zones over the past few years, which adds additional pressure on the goaltender. Typically it doesn’t end well; ask Jimmy Howard and even Thomas Greiss.
Bernier should have another opportunity tonight to bounce back against the Carolina Hurricanes. The Red Wings need to play the 32-year old netminder in back-to-back games, trying to showcase him one last time to playoff-bound teams looking for a talented backup or slight upgrade starter.
In 18 games, Bernier has a record of 8-7, which is impressive in its own right playing for the dreadful Detroit Red Wings. He’s also achieved a goal-against average of 3.10 but a save percentage of 0.910% in 2021.
Bernier is a pending unrestricted free agent and will be a rental.
Two teams that could use Bernier’s services are the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Washington Capitals.