At times this past season, it looked like there was a possibility that goaltender Jonathan Bernier could extend his stay with the Red Wings. However, it appears that won’t be the case as TVA Sports’ Renaud Lavoie reports (Twitter link) that the veteran has decided to test the open market when free agency begins next week.
The 32-year-old hasn’t exactly posted great numbers with Detroit, but with the Red Wings bottoming out in the standings as GM Steve Yzerman rebuilds the roster, Bernier held his own most nights over the last three years. In 2020-21, he played in 24 games while splitting time with Thomas Greiss, posting a 2.99 GAA along with a .914 SV%, which was six points above the league average. Being above the NHL average in that department is something that his agent Pat Brisson will undoubtedly bring up in contract discussions.
Bernier could very well be in line for a small raise on the $3 million cap hit he had on this most recent deal. The backup market has continued to grow in recent years with more teams wanting to lessen the workload of their starter or even head toward more of a platoon with some deals coming in closer to the $3.5 million mark. Bernier has basically been in that same situation for the past several years even before his time in Detroit, and that track record could help him when the floodgates open next week.
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