Jonathan Bernier Should Be Traded for the Sniper We Need

Now that the NHL All-Star game has been completed, we can get on to more pressing matters. The next significant date on the calendar is February 27th, the league’s trade deadline. Teams within the next few weeks will have to decide if they are going to be buyers or sellers. The Kings will be buyers and that will leave general manager Dean Lombardi in a tough spot.

Goaltender Jonathan Bernier is the Kings most tradable asset. He’s considered a young, up and coming goaltender. If the Kings are going to upgrade their roster for the stretch run, he will have to be part of any deal. Bernier’s is under contract through next season at a salary of $1.25 mil, at which time he will only become a restricted free agent. This would give a team some time to consider if he is their future net minder and pay him accordingly. Jonathan Quick will be an unrestricted free agent at the same time. He is way underpaid at $1.8 million through next season. With Quick likely to command a salary in the $5-6 million dollar range, the Kings would be unable to match any offer that Bernier would attract as a RFA and only receive minimal compensation in the form of draft picks in return.

Now, what can the Kings expect to receive in return? A few months ago, Columbus had inquired about the availability of Bernier. Lombardi wouldn’t budge when asking for Blue Jackets young center Ryan Johansen in any deal. Columbus wisely hung up the phone. The next rumor to be bantered about was Bernier, and either winger Dustin Brown or defenseman Jack Johnson for New Jersey forward Zach Parise. New Jersey resigning Parise isn’t going to happen when you factor in their current financial troubles. However, is that the best deal the Devils can do for Parise? That deal would be a steal for the Kings. The Tampa Bay Lightning have offered winger Ryan Malone for Bernier. I have to ask myself, don’t the Kings already have a version of the oft injured Malone in the form of Simon Gagne, but cheaper? Malone is younger but with his injury history, do the Kings really want to be tied to him for three more seasons at $4.5 million?

Dean Lombardi has to tread lightly here. If he over estimates the value of Bernier, teams in need of goaltending will just call the Minnesota Wild and ask about their young net minder Josh Harding, who is rumored to be available. The Wild will be looking for help down the stretch as well and like the Kings, have a chip to bargain with. However, he can’t give Bernier away for just anyone. Bernier needs to be dealt for the sniper this team desperately needs, not for the same type of wingers we already have.

Salary Cap figures from capgeek.com


People also view

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *