Red Wings waive defenceman Jacob Bernard-Docker - Sportsnet.ca

Published: October 17, 2026 at 2:22p.m. EDTThe Detroit Red Wings have placed defenceman Jacob Bernard-Docker on waivers, according to Postmedia’s Bruce Garrioch. The 26-year-old battled an upper-body injury and was activated from injured reserve last week. He has yet to play a game at the NHL level this season. Bernard-Docker had one goal and five points in 63 games with Detroit last season while averaging 14:49 of ice time per game. A native of Banff, Alta., Bernard-Docker was selected No. 26 overall in the 2018 NHL Draft by the Ottawa Senators. He spent parts of five seasons in the nation’s capital before joining the Buffalo Sabres via trade in March of 2025. Bernard-Docker then signed as a free agent with the Red Wings later that summer. He is currently on a two-year deal that runs through 2027-28 and pays him $1.6 million annually. He has seven goals and 29 points in 207 career NHL regular season games spread out over six seasons.

The Red Wings have been carrying nine defensemen through the early going this season, something that’s largely unsustainable.  They’ve taken a step toward reducing that surplus as Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports (Twitter link) that blueliner Jacob Bernard-Docker has been placed on waivers. The 26-year-old joined Detroit in the 2025 offseason, inking a one-year, $875K contract in the hopes that a fresh start could eventually give him a more permanent place in the lineup.  Last year, that was largely the case.  Bernard-Docker played in 63 games (compared to just 40 the year before between two different teams) and while he only put up five points offensively, he logged nearly 15 minutes per game of ice time while chipping in with 87 blocked shots and 66 hits.  That performance was good enough for the Red Wings to sign him to a new two-year, $3.2MM deal back in March.

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka is working the phones, looking to add some depth to his defense core. According to multiple reports, the Leafs have been making trade calls, looking for a second-pair defenceman, who can bring a little bit of everything to the table. The Leafs are without Chris Tanev for a few more weeks, and frankly, their d-core is the weakest part of their roster. Darren Raddysh hasn't really hit the ground running, Oliver Ekman-Larsson has lost a step, and Nick Blankenburg hasn't done much with his new opportunity. David Pagnotta: Re Maple Leafs: The preference is to bring in a 2nd pair calibre type of defenseman who is more stay at home minded, but also mobile - Daily Faceoff Live (10/14)The Fourth Period's Pagnotta reports that the Maple Leafs want someone mobile, which makes a ton of sense considering the lack of speed currently within their top-six defencemen. It's obvious the Maple Leafs have the firepower up front to impact games, but they need to round out their blueline with players who can make an outlet pass, skate themselves out of trouble, and jump into the rush when needed.

WASHINGTON - The Montreal Canadiens recalled defenceman David Reinbacher from the American Hockey League's Laval Rocket on Wednesday as a precaution ahead of their game against the Washington Capitals.