The Buffalo Sabres looked to shake up their roster at this year's NHL trade deadline, sending Dylan Cozens, Buffalo-native Dennis Gilbert, and a second-round pick to the divisional rival Ottawa Senators in exchange for Josh Norris and Jacob Bernard-Docker.
While Norris has yet to make a detrimental impact to the team due to lingering injuries, Bernard-Docker has been a healthy scratch ever since, that is up until his team debut on March 23rd. Although he logged the least amount of TOI for amongst defensemen with just 12:49 , he certainly made an affect on the stat sheet, logging two assists in his team debut.
The former 26th overall pick in the 2018 NHL had previously only played 129 NHL contests, recording five goals and 15 assists in that span. After splitting time between Ottawa and Belleville, could this change fo scenery to the Sabres be what the young defensemen needs to revitalize his career?
Keep in mind, Bernard-Docker is still just 24-years-old and could be a key piece for the team next year on the defensive rotation. Although the Sabres just inked Jacob Bryson to a one-year extension, at the very least fans can expect Bernard-Docker to be given a look to be a permanent piece to the blueline for the 2025-26 season.