Bernard-Docker's potential?

[GASabresIUFAN]

The Sens over drafted JBD with the 26th pick in the 2018 draft.  Most rankings had him as a 2nd or 3rd rd pick out of the AJHL.  He then spent 3 years in college.

Here are some comments about him from the 2018 draft.

https://thehockeywriters.com/jacob-bernard-docker-2018-nhl-draft-prospect-profile/

Quote

There’s a lot to like about Bernard-Docker’s game. He’s a very good offensive player, boasting strong situational awareness, good hockey sense, high-end mobility and a cannon of a slap shot from the point. He jumped from seven goals as an AJHL rookie to 20 goals by virtue to gaining confidence in his shot, a prime factor in his overall offensive jump this past season. He’s an effective puck distributor, too, and has become a very potent power play quarterback at the AJHL level due to his passing and offensive awareness.

On the flip side, Bernard-Docker takes a lot of chances in the offensive zone and pinches quite a lot. He’s smart and speedy enough to not get caught pinching too often at the AJHL level, but he might not be able to gamble as much at higher levels where his opponents will be stronger. He’s also not a physically thick young man yet – though he’s still growing into his body – and he might struggle in a setting that has more of a grinding, physical style of play.

They thought he had 2nd line potential.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/342438/2018/05/21/pronmans-2018-nhl-draft-board/

Quote

Bernard-Docker was very good in the AJHL and was named the top defenseman in that league and in the entire CJHL. Despite his great numbers, I wouldn’t describe him as a dynamic offensive defenseman, but he does a lot well around the puck. JDB moves the puck well. He’s very smart and composed making clean zone exits. His skill is solid too, and he can evade a check or two with his decent feet and hands to create space. When his team is on the attack, he’s not afraid to jump in, and he has a big point shot too. He’s got a decent physical game and, while he could get better defensively, he’s hard on his checks and is reasonably smart in his own end.

Director of Operations for Team Canada West Kevin Saurette said: “He’s very calm, very poised and makes a great pass. He’s tough to play against, physical and gets his shots through. He’s not offensively dynamic, but he’s a steady calming influence on the blueline.

I think the bolded is what we are seeing so far from Bernard-Docker in a very limited sample size.  

https://senshot.com/ottawa-s-problem-with-jacob-bernard-docker-is-buffalo-s-problem-now-01jpe4seg1jt

Apparently, this Ottawa fan site was happy to see JBD move on.  One thing the author fails to mention is that JBD blocked 156 shots his one full NHL season and was willing to play physically when necessary.   

I don't know if he has 2nd pair potential, but he looks to be playing a simple game, can skate and is willing to hit and block shots.  I'm curious to see what he can do.  

Edited Friday at 06:34 PM by GASabresIUFAN

[Doohickie]

I said in another post I think he has the potential to be the 4D that rounds out Dahls, Power and Byram (or whoever stays around).  Maybe he is to Ottawa what Cozens was to Buffalo:  Early success leading to unrealistic expectations.

[Thorner]

All star 

[Andrew Amerk]

9 minutes ago, Thorner said:

All star 

Hey now 

[SabreFinn]

He might end up being the player with more positive impact on the Sabres from the trade. That can be both a really good or bad trade I guess.

[Dr. Who]

20 minutes ago, Thorner said:

All star 

I never realized till lately how passive aggressive Pollyanna was. Or perhaps this is dystopian irony and Orwellian satire. Either way, it's the perfect mood music for the late Sabres charge to .500. 

Edited Friday at 03:53 AM by Dr. Who

[GASabresIUFAN]

2 hours ago, Doohickie said:

I said in another post I think he has the potential to be the 4D that rounds out Dahls, Power and Byram (or whoever stays around).  Maybe he is to Ottawa what Cozens was to Buffalo:  Early success leading to unrealistic expectations.

He has a Tallinder type skill set.  The question is can he bring that level of consistency.  Ottawa didn't think so now which is why they traded him to us, but they clear saw something in him they likely in order to draft him in the 1st round.  Granted most talking heads didn't think he was that level of player, but there is a good base skill set.  

What's interesting is JBD has a very similar resume in college and the minors as Ryan Johnson.  They are also about the same size.  JBD is just a year older and an RHD vs a LHD.  

Edited Friday at 05:35 AM by GASabresIUFAN

[SABRES 0311]

Nobody knows what he is or can be after just a couple games. He’s doing ok but that's on a team who no longer has realistic expectations (or pressure) to make the playoffs. Let’s see how he does in camp, preseason, and maybe October if he makes it.

Maybe another question is, can we flip him in a package for the proven top four dman we really need.

[PerreaultForever]

Well we learned tonight he's another guy who can't fight. Not that he has to, but it would have been nice if he could. 

[Stoner]

5 hours ago, Thorner said:

All star 

These threads are ridic.

[LGR4GM]

Maybe a 2nd pairing guy? More physical Jokiharju perhaps. 

[French Collection]

A RHD who can be better than Jokiharju and Clifton, it’s a small step to improving the D corps. Definitely more skill than Gilbert except in fisticuffs.

[mjd1001]

I didn't see much of the game last night, but from his previous games, it just way too little to go on. I haven't seen much to make me notice him in a good way, so maybe that is coming soon, but right now he gets a "whatever" from me.

Edited Friday at 01:20 PM by mjd1001

[Carmel Corn]

I am hoping he does well enough to me forget that we traded a 2nd and Gilbert as part of the deal.  So far he seems to be fitting in well with a little more talent than what Joki provided.

[WhenWillItEnd66]

He has looked good in the small sample size. If he can maintain that play then we get what this team needed on a throw in piece for Cozens.

[JohnC]

9 hours ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

The Sens over drafted JBD with the 26th pick in the 2018 draft.  Most rankings had him as a 2nd or 3rd rd pick out of the AJHL.  He then spent 4 years in college.

Here are some comments about him from the 2018 draft.

https://thehockeywriters.com/jacob-bernard-docker-2018-nhl-draft-prospect-profile/

They thought he had 2nd line potential.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/342438/2018/05/21/pronmans-2018-nhl-draft-board/

I think the bolded is what we are seeing so far from Bernard-Docker in a very limited sample size.  

https://senshot.com/ottawa-s-problem-with-jacob-bernard-docker-is-buffalo-s-problem-now-01jpe4seg1jt

Apparently, this Ottawa fan site was happy to see JBD move on.  One thing the author fails to mention is that JBD blocked 156 shots his one full NHL season and was willing to by physical when necessary.   

I don't know if he has 2nd pair potential, but he looks to be playing a simple game, can skate and is willing to hit and block shots.  I'm curious to see what he can do.  

If he becomes a solid/good third pairing player I would be more than happy. And if Norris returns to health next season and plays at a legitimate 2C level, then the Cozens trade will turn out to be an excellent trade for KA. 

[Doohickie]

1 hour ago, Carmel Corn said:

I am hoping he does well enough to me forget that we traded a 2nd and Gilbert as part of the deal.  So far he seems to be fitting in well with a little more talent than what Joki provided.

Hearing Joki referred to in the past tense is just bizarre.  I keep forgetting he's no longer a Sabre.  Maybe it's because we got a draft pick, not a player, for him.

[GASabresIUFAN]

From the Athletic today.    https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6237558/2025/03/27/sabres-kulich-bernard-docker-penguins/

“2. Jacob Bernard-Docker looks hungry

Bernard-Docker wasn’t the main attraction in the Sabres’ trade-deadline deal with the Ottawa Senators, but he’s making a strong early impression. He had two assists against the Jets and then a goal against the Senators, but he shrugged off the point production and said his main focus is being hard to play against. He showed that against the Penguins on Thursday, blocking two shots and crushing Connor Dewar with a huge hit that sparked a fight. He didn’t win the fight, but Bernard-Docker opened Ruff’s eyes.

“He showed he was hungry every shift,” Ruff said. “I really liked his game. I liked the fact that he ate a couple of pucks for us. A couple of big blocks, a heck of a hit. A good hit before the fight. His intensity around the puck has been real good. He is hungry. He’s pushing guys to say, ‘I want to be part of this. I’ve got my opportunity and I want to prove I can stay in the lineup.’”

It’s too early to say that Bernard-Docker will be a fixture in Buffalo’s lineup next season. But he’s provided a spark and looks like he has something to prove. That’s an attitude the Sabres could use more of.”

[mjd1001]

20 minutes ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

From the Athletic today.    https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6237558/2025/03/27/sabres-kulich-bernard-docker-penguins/

“2. Jacob Bernard-Docker looks hungry

Bernard-Docker wasn’t the main attraction in the Sabres’ trade-deadline deal with the Ottawa Senators, but he’s making a strong early impression. He had two assists against the Jets and then a goal against the Senators, but he shrugged off the point production and said his main focus is being hard to play against. He showed that against the Penguins on Thursday, blocking two shots and crushing Connor Dewar with a huge hit that sparked a fight. He didn’t win the fight, but Bernard-Docker opened Ruff’s eyes.

“He showed he was hungry every shift,” Ruff said. “I really liked his game. I liked the fact that he ate a couple of pucks for us. A couple of big blocks, a heck of a hit. A good hit before the fight. His intensity around the puck has been real good. He is hungry. He’s pushing guys to say, ‘I want to be part of this. I’ve got my opportunity and I want to prove I can stay in the lineup.’”

It’s too early to say that Bernard-Docker will be a fixture in Buffalo’s lineup next season. But he’s provided a spark and looks like he has something to prove. That’s an attitude the Sabres could use more of.”

This is one thing that makes me hopeful reading that in regard to him being a good 3rd pairing guy.  When I think of a 3rd pairing guy, or a 4th line forward, I start with a few things: 1.)  Plays very very hard.  2.) is 'coachable' (doesn't just do his own thing). 3.) has some raw talent (as a late 1st rounder, you would think he does have some raw talent.  Again though, I haven't really seen anything myself great out of him, other than a bit of effort.

 

Edited Friday at 02:47 PM by mjd1001

[inkman]

7 minutes ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

From the Athletic today.    https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6237558/2025/03/27/sabres-kulich-bernard-docker-penguins/

“2. Jacob Bernard-Docker looks hungry

Bernard-Docker wasn’t the main attraction in the Sabres’ trade-deadline deal with the Ottawa Senators, but he’s making a strong early impression. He had two assists against the Jets and then a goal against the Senators, but he shrugged off the point production and said his main focus is being hard to play against. He showed that against the Penguins on Thursday, blocking two shots and crushing Connor Dewar with a huge hit that sparked a fight. He didn’t win the fight, but Bernard-Docker opened Ruff’s eyes.

“He showed he was hungry every shift,” Ruff said. “I really liked his game. I liked the fact that he ate a couple of pucks for us. A couple of big blocks, a heck of a hit. A good hit before the fight. His intensity around the puck has been real good. He is hungry. He’s pushing guys to say, ‘I want to be part of this. I’ve got my opportunity and I want to prove I can stay in the lineup.’”

It’s too early to say that Bernard-Docker will be a fixture in Buffalo’s lineup next season. But he’s provided a spark and looks like he has something to prove. That’s an attitude the Sabres could use more of.”

It’s pretty sad when an average dman shows up, does the bare minimum expected and stands out like a sore thumb because this D crew is sorely lacking in anyone that actually does the things NHL defenseman do.  He blocked shots, hit a guy and fought?  Give him the C is what we’ll hear next because we are so thirsty for anyone who actually plays defense.  (Please keep your Rasmus comments to yourself, he’s great yada yada) 

[shrader]

20 minutes ago, inkman said:

It’s pretty sad when an average dman shows up, does the bare minimum expected and stands out like a sore thumb because this D crew is sorely lacking in anyone that actually does the things NHL defenseman do.  He blocked shots, hit a guy and fought?  Give him the C is what we’ll hear next because we are so thirsty for anyone who actually plays defense.  (Please keep your Rasmus comments to yourself, he’s great yada yada) 

I think that post-trade adrenaline rush is still in place for most players at this point, but it's even more present with Bernard-Docker since he just started playing.  With a guy like him, we're not really going to get a better idea on what he brings, if he can sustain this, until next year.

[bob_sauve28]

You can never have enough NHL ready d-man. See Jeff Jillson for reference sake. Maybe next season we are in the hunt for a playoff spot and injuries hit the d-corp hard and this guy has to play major minutes in a few games to prevent us from going into another 10 game slid that yet again destroys our playoffs hopes. Maybe he is just good enough to help us ride out that storm and right the ship to a successful season. If that happens then I'm glad he is here. 

 

Maybe he turns into the next Forsling who was a nobody until he was a somebody really good. Doubt that, but it would be nice. Maybe he gets sent to minors and his post trade high wears off. 🤷‍♀️ 

[shrader]

3 hours ago, Carmel Corn said:

I am hoping he does well enough to me forget that we traded a 2nd and Gilbert as part of the deal.  So far he seems to be fitting in well with a little more talent than what Joki provided.

Gilbert really doesn’t matter much. He’s the JAG throw in. He has played one game so far. He’s a break glass in case of emergency guy, someone who is only going to play if Jay McKee forgets to wash his shin pads again. 
 

The deal was essentially cozens and the 2nd for Norris and Bernard-Docker. 

[kas23]

2 hours ago, inkman said:

It’s pretty sad when an average dman shows up, does the bare minimum expected and stands out like a sore thumb because this D crew is sorely lacking in anyone that actually does the things NHL defenseman do.  He blocked shots, hit a guy and fought?  Give him the C is what we’ll hear next because we are so thirsty for anyone who actually plays defense.  (Please keep your Rasmus comments to yourself, he’s great yada yada) 

It’s sad, but it’s what we need right now. We need defensemen to that can play, in the very least, average defense. Have we had average defense all year, we may have been battling for a playoff spot. 

[Brawndo]

The fear is he plays well the remaining games and GMKA decides he finally found Power’s Partner without exploring any other options