NHL Free Agency 2018: Detroit Red Wings Sign Jonathan Bernier
By Tyler Samson
The Detroit Red Wings signed free agent goaltender Jonathan Bernier to a three year $9 million dollar deal in NHL free agency
On the first day of NHL free agency, the Detroit Red Wings signed goaltender, Jonathan Bernier to a three-year, $9 million dollar deal. For the past 10 seasons, he has spent time with the Los Angeles Kings, Toronto Maple Leafs, Anaheim Ducks, and Colorado Avalanche. In these ten seasons, Bernier has yet to be an established starter, but that could soon change.
Going into free agency, the Red Wings were in desperate need of goaltending depth. After the Wings traded Petr Mrazek mid-season to the Philadelphia Flyers, they called up goaltender Jared Coreau from the AHL. For the rest of the 2017-18 season, Coreau and incumbent starter Jimmy Howard struggled in net.
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For too long, the Red Wings have been trying to give Howard the starting job. He has yet to fully grasp the position. He has been too inconsistent in his play and that is why the Wings need to find a reliable goalie. Red Wings general manager Ken Holland and the rest of their staff believe that they have found a reliable goalie in Bernier.
In his 10 year NHL career, he has played 289 games, won 128 games, lost 108 games, registered 16 shutouts, posted a .914 save percentage, and has a career 2.68 goals against average.
Last season, Bernier played remarkably well with the Avalanche, helping them reach the Stanley Cup playoffs before getting hurt.
With Howard, 34, entering the last year of his contract, Bernier, 29, is set to be the next starting goalie. Hopefully, by having him on the team, this will make for friendly competition for the starting job between him and Howard.
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While fighting for the job, the two goalies should bring the best out of each other. Regardless, by having Bernier replacing Coreau, the Red Wings have strengthened their once weak goaltending position.
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