BUFFALO – Before defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker could really join the Sabres, one issue had to be worked out.
As a Canadian joining an American team, he needed to have his visa approved. So after the Sabres acquired him in last Friday’s deadline trade that sent center Dylan Cozens to the Ottawa Senators, he couldn’t participate in team-related activities.
“That was obviously made pretty clear at the border when I came through,” Bernard-Docker said following Friday’s practice in KeyBank Center, his first with the Sabres.
Bernard-Docker, 24, spent his first days in Buffalo skating on his own and working out off the ice. While the Sabres practiced and played games, his equipment hung in his stall in the dressing room.
With his visa finally resolved, he joined his teammates Friday, sharing reps alongside defenseman Owen Power wearing Cozens’ old No. 24.
“I tried to make to make the best of it,” Bernard-Docker said of the time he spent waiting. “It was great to hop into the first practice today.”
Bernard-Docker, having practiced just once and not played a game since Dec. 28, likely won’t skate in this afternoon’s home contest against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said “there’s a good possibility” the newcomer will play next week.
Bernard-Docker, the 26th overall pick in 2018, is raring to go and seize his fresh chance. On Jan. 6, he suffered a high ankle sprain when he crashed into the end boards during practice.
He started practicing last month when the NHL returned from its break for the 4 Nations Face-off. He was cleared to play March 1 but did not get in another game with the Senators.
“It’s been so many rehab skates alone, just kind of grinding in the gym, grinding on the bike,” he said. “I’m more than ready to play, so I can’t wait.”
Despite his status as a first-round pick, Bernard-Docker found opportunities limited in Ottawa, which has a surfeit of right-shot defensemen.
He has played 129 games over parts of five seasons, including a career-high 72 last year, compiling five goals, 20 points and 44 penalty minutes. Ironically, he cleared waivers at the beginning of 2023-24 and began the season with Belleville, Ottawa’s AHL affiliate.
He has made just 25 appearances this campaign.
“It’s been a tough season, I’m not going to lie, with the injury and then coming back and not really getting the opportunity to get back in the lineup,” he said.
Still, the trade – the Sabres also acquired center Josh Norris – surprised Bernard-Docker.
“You never know what’s going to happen,” he said. “I mean, you kind of hear your name maybe getting tossed around here and there. But you never really know until it happens.
“So, yeah, definitely sad to leave that group. Played with a lot of guys there, know I’ll miss them. But at the same time, really excited to be here.”
What do the Sabres have in the 6-foot-1, 198-pound Bernard-Docker? He believes his bread and butter is “being hard to play against.”
The University of North Dakota product is a defensive defenseman. He led Ottawa with 156 blocked shots last season.
“I think my fundamentals are definitely shot blocking, good D, tight gaps, and hopefully I can add in a little offense here and there,” he said. “But, yeah, I think my game is definitely tailored toward being a good, reliable, solid defender.”
Ruff said he doesn’t know a lot about Bernard-Docker.
“I’ve watched some of his play,” he said. “Good skater and he moves the puck. You get him inside of a game, you get to watch him even closer, you get to know him even better.”