More on Bernier

By Rich Hammond on September 17, 2007 4:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) |

Given that Jonathan Bernier is still eligible for juniors, there is a twist to his story. Theoretically, the Kings could choose to keep him as a third goaltender, and he could appear in up to nine games before the Kings would have to decide whether to keep him or send him back to Lewiston. If he appears in 10 games, it would cost the Kings a year of his contract. According to the Kings' Jeff Solomon, the rule for goalies is still 10 games played, not just the Kings' first 10 games, although I'm also told that there might also be a deadline date, in terms of returning players to juniors.

So there's something else to think about.

3 Comments

reality check said:

Let him stay up for a few games. Give him 2-3 starts over the first month. Seriously, this is a shitty situation. I hate that AHL rule right now more than anything, but the fact of the matter is, the kid has NOTHING left in Juniors and you hope like hell he doesnt start to get complacent down there. Sure, he has an adequate goaltending coach, but he can do drills in LA. he wont get as many shots in a three-goalie practice, but man, at this point, keep him around for a month, if need be return him to jrs, and let him jump into the A at the end of the season. God, this sucks. I was adamantly opposed to J.B. being ushered through the 'tender timeline too quickly, but it's starting to seem as though it's a realistic option....is he really ready at age 19?

September 17, 2007 4:45 PM

Jon said:

I think that 10 games or less could benefit Bernier like it benefited Jack. Even if he finds out that he is not ready to take that big step to the NHL. He will know what to expect and prepare for to make himself a better goalie by next training camp, and really challenge for that #1 spot. Then on the other hand if he comes in and stops everything his first 13 games and then starts letting everything in after we cant send him back to juniors, that would be horrible for his confidence and development and for us bitter die hard KINGS fans. Go Kings Go!

September 17, 2007 8:27 PM

WpgKings said:

I do not think that there is a deadline date to return Bernier since to juniors since two years ago Gilbert Brule was returned to juniors in early January. So even if there was a deadline date it is really to far ahead to make a difference.
About Bernier, I think with three veteran netminders, all which have shown at least in stretches that they can play, it makes little sense to rush him, lest he become another Jamie Storr.

September 18, 2007 10:54 AM

J.P. Hoornstra writes about NHL and IHL hockey for the Los Angeles Newspaper Group. He welcomes any and all dialogue on the finer points of hockey. E-mail J.P. at jp.hoornstra
@inlandnewspapers.com.

Jill Painter joined the Daily News in 2000 and during the last eight years she's covered the Dodgers, Cal State Northridge, UCLA, Kings, golf and everything in between. Even though she's from Colorado, she still freezes in the Staples Center press box but always manages to thaw her fingers in time to make deadline. E-mail Jill at jill.painter@dailynews
.com.