Getty Images Jonathan Bernier is one of the top goalie prospects in the NHL on a team that already has Vezina candidate Jonathan Quick, so it’s no surprise you’re hearing the 23-year-old’s name pop up in trade rumors. (For example, the one that has him going to Columbus as part of a package for Jeff Carter.)
But Rich Hammond at LA Kings Insider explored this topic yesterday and came up with two good reasons to hold on to the young backup:
1. There’s only so much teams will pay for pedigree. While Bernier was drafted 11th overall in 2006 and had great numbers in the AHL, he’s only played 42 games in the NHL, posting a 2.59 goals-against average and .908 save percentage. In other words, he’s not quite at Cory Schneider’s stage of development yet. But in a year or two, he might be.
2. Quick is set to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2012-13 season. And as Hammond writes, “The nightmare scenario for the Kings would be to trade Bernier, then have Quick walk next summer.” Not to mention, if Lombardi trades Bernier, Quick would have some serious leverage in contract negotiations.
-
2012 Stanley Cup finals at a glance: Los Angeles-New Jersey preview
May 27, 2012, 11:50 PM EDT
AP
A breakdown of Kings vs. Devils.
-
Shawinigan Cataractes beat London Knights to take 2012 Memorial Cup
May 27, 2012, 11:06 PM EDT
Getty Images
Also: air horns.
-
Anze Kopitar’s run to Stanley Cup finals creates “pretty big buzz” in Slovenia
May 27, 2012, 10:26 PM EDT
Getty Images
If you’re there and rooting against the Kings, you’re one serious contrarian.
-
Reports: Ducks might file tampering charge regarding Justin Schultz
May 27, 2012, 10:00 PM EDT
AP
Another rumor points to Schultz becoming a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
-
Getty Images
That Penguins-Flyers series made things kind of screwy.
-
Reasons to root for the Kings, Devils in 2012 Stanley Cup finals
May 27, 2012, 8:02 PM EDT
Getty Images
For those who don’t have a horse in this race.
-
Top prospect Grigorenko looks forward to making future teams look bad for skipping him
May 27, 2012, 7:21 PM EDT
Getty Images
He might go second overall in the draft or as late as 20.
-
Getty Images
You know you were wondering the same thing, don’t deny it.
-
Getty Images
James Reimer didn’t exactly cut it but is he the answer?
-
AP
“Perhaps we had all been convinced we would win before the tie actually started. And that might also have been a problem.”
-
Getty Images
DeBoer: “He’s here to win. He’s a team-first guy. He’s very unselfish and he’s just a great person.”
-
Getty Images
Here are three guys from each team to consider and vote on.
-
Getty Images
It dates back to 2004 in junior hockey in Kitchener, Ontario.
-
Lou Lamoriello couldn’t be happier to have the Devils back in the finals
May 27, 2012, 11:15 AM EDT
Getty Images
‘We’ve had teams that had success during the regular season, but just couldn’t get through the playoffs for some reason.”
-
Getty Images
The Blue Jackets captain is looking at getting dealt at the draft or after July 1.
-
PHT Morning Skate: Where the Kings are the oddsmakers’ favorites
May 27, 2012, 9:55 AM EDT
AP
A bit of motivation for New Jersey thanks to the gamblers? That and more in the Morning Skate.
-
Should the Devils surrender their 2012 first-rounder to the NHL?
May 26, 2012, 11:11 PM EDT
AP
They still owe a pick as punishment for their initial attempt to sign Ilya Kovalchuk.
-
Parise helped convince Devils to let players sleep at home before playoff home games
May 26, 2012, 10:33 PM EDT
AP
There was a time when they would stay in hotels in the postseason even before contests in New Jersey.
-
A rundown of the some of the most noteworthy winners.
-
Getty Images
Either one will best New Jersey in 1995, who won after capturing the Eastern Conference’s fifth seed.
NHL Playoffs Channel Finder
