One thing is for certain, with or without the usage of stats to prove it, Jacob Bernard-Docker is a solid defender, and definitely a borderline NHLer at worst. That is to say, something like a five through seven guy on your defence depth charts. However, Ottawa needs him to be a reliable, almost veteran presence type guy, on the third pairing. What’s more, despite his potential for offensive upside, with his skating and passing abilities, between being on Ottawa behind some offensive defencemen, and just from being a third-pair guy in general, he really has to work on parts of his game that shore up that role. That includes player traits like his reliability, strength with his stick work, and positioning in his own zone.
A Review of Some Key Stats from the Young Career of Jacob Bernard-Docker
Let’s make no mistake, Jacob Bernard-Docker still has the chance to be a regular, everyday defenceman for the Senators in 2024-25. But he needs to do it now. Furthermore, throughout his hockey career thus far, he has shown an ability to be very effective at different levels. For example, during his sophomore year at the University of North Dakota, he put up 25 points in 32 games. It is noteworthy, the following season, 2020-21, that JBD was teammates with current Sen hopeful, Tyler Kleven. The two are currently competing for third pair positions, but not entirely in competition with one another, given their opposing handedness.
Back to Jacob Bernard-Docker, and he was actually quite effective at times last season, supported by some stats. Specifically, he showed to be effective on his pairing with Erik Brannstrom. In 271.8 minutes played together last year, the duo produced an xGoals% of 53.3%. This shows that given the right situation, JBD can be successful at the NHL level. In general, he seems to have the skating, hands, and vision to be a successful NHL defenceman.
Looking Beyond the Stats for Jacob Bernard-Docker
Perhaps he’s simply trying to find his game. He doesn’t know if he needs to focus on being a two-way defender, versus just leaning offensively. Again, this would be highly dependent on who his partner is on the third pairing. Moreover, similar to much of the Senators recent problems on defence, not having consistent defence pairings seems to be an Achilles heel. We needn’t look any further than last season’s Stanley Cup Final matchup to show the importance of comfort in your combinations of defensive pairs. Even if it is just one elite top pairing, a lot of the top teams around the league actually have multiple pairings in the top of the league ranking of mins and xGoals%. For example, the top three pairings in xGoals%, with a minimum of 500 minutes played together last season, were from the Edmonton Oilers, the Dallas Stars, and the Carolina Hurricanes.
Who’s Bernard-Docker’s Internal Competition?
One topic that this year’s preseason has shown is that the Sens have competition on the right side of the blueline. Travis Hamonic is on an NHL contract for this upcoming season. Calen Addison has been playing in camp on a tryout and remains unsigned. In addition, one of the most pleasant surprises has been the showing of 2024 first-round draft selection Carter Yakemchuk. He’s shown to be closer to being NHL-ready than many had anticipated. The fact that he hasn’t been sent back to junior yet as a just-turned-19-year-old defenceman means something. So, just where does that leave Bernard-Docker in this situation?
Thus far in this year’s preseason action, Jacob Bernard-Docker has been getting a good look. It seems that the coaching staff wants to know if they can rely on him being caught out there against top players as well. Maybe one example of this, and highlighting that there are still parts of his game to cleanup, was the Sidney Crosby goal as Kris Letang fed the puck to him towards the scoring area. Perhaps being caught out there with Tyler Kleven wasn’t how head coach Travis Green drew it up, but it could be seen as a teachable moment. Despite being fairly good positionally, he needs to be more active in tying up sticks. Just little things to work on.
JDB Has Been All Right This Preseason
On the other hand, JDB was getting quality opportunity with Tim Stutzle‘s line. He was doing a great job at pinching down on the weak side to hold pucks in. Furthermore, he even ended up with a quality scoring chance. He hit the post in the first period of the Pittsburgh Penguins game from Sudbury, Ontario.
In any case, in order for Jacob Bernard-Docker to develop into a full-time NHLer, he needs to improve his all-around stats. In 104 career NHL games, he still has only 16 points, in 15:42 of average ice time. It does appear that he has struggled to find his identity. Under coach Green, and with the Sens hopeful of a playoff push, that needs to change. He does have 191 blocked shots throughout his career, which does give an indication of his reliance in a more so defensive role. He has appeared in over 115 minutes of shorthanded time in his career as well. As a result, he does do decent at that job, but that has been an adjustment for him. His defensive start zone was fourth highest at 11.2% on the Sens last season. Also, his offensive start zone was eighth, down at 8.1%. Therefore, his deployment leans defensively, but in any case, not very offensive.
Ideally, JBD would be paired with Kleven on the third pair. This would be a good mix of offence and toughness. However, as this preseason games have shown, along with their relative inexperience as NHL defencemen, that is not a guarantee. Kleven has struggled going to the boards for puck retrieval in his own zone. Point is, there are spots available still. Therefore, even as likely as it is Bernard-Docker plays with the Sens to start the campaign, he will need to play tight defensively and will be held accountable. Otherwise, he may find himself in the press box, watching someone like the veteran Travis Hamonic take his spot.
Main Photo Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
