Red Wings Activate Jacob Bernard-Docker

According to a team announcement, the Detroit Red Wings have activated defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker from the injured reserve. In a corresponding roster move, Detroit has placed forward J.T. Compher on injured reserve, retroactive to October 4th.

Bernard-Docker, 26, is in his second year with the Red Wings. The former first-round pick became an unrestricted free agent two summers ago after the Ottawa Senators declined to issue him a qualifying offer. Approximately nine months after first signing with Detroit, the Red Wings inked Bernard-Docker to a two-year, $3.2MM ($1.6MM AAV) extension.

He performed relatively well last season. Bernard-Docker finished with one goal and five points in 63 games with a net-zero rating, averaging 14:49 of ice time per game. He also blocked 87 shots and delivered 66 hits while finishing with a 93.9% on-ice SV% at even strength despite starting most of his shifts in the defensive zone.

Unfortunately, Bernard-Docker began the 2026-27 season on the injured reserve after suffering an upper-body injury in preseason. The injury forced him to miss the first three games of the season in Detroit. While Bernard-Docker may improve Detroit’s defense, it’s surprising that they made no additional roster changes.

With Compher on injured reserve, the Red Wings have nine defensemen on their active roster. Even if Detroit is comfortable deploying seven defensemen a night, two defensemen will still be in the press box. Additionally, all three players on the Red Wings’ injured reserve are forwards (including Mason Appleton and Marco Kasper), meaning that they could use additional forward depth for the foreseeable future. Still, Detroit has forward Sheldon Dries on the roster under emergency conditions, so he could switch to a standard call-up tomorrow.

Meanwhile, after missing Tuesday’s matchup against the Ottawa Senators, Compher is guaranteed to miss tomorrow’s contest against the Seattle Kraken and Saturday’s game against the Montreal Canadiens because of his undisclosed ailment. However, since his injured reserve placement technically began on October 4th, he’ll be eligible to return next week against the New Jersey Devils if he’s healthy.