Amongst The Athletic’s Craig Custance’s MANY free agency notes:
— The Red Wings have been aggressive in their pursuit of a backup goalie behind Jimmy Howard, and it appears they’re closing in on a favorite. Jonathan Bernier has moved to the top of the list in Detroit and there has been significant interest on both sides of the equation. Wherever he signs, Hutton is expected to get a three-year deal, and it would be surprising if Bernier got anything less than that. Bernier is still just 29 and has a career save percentage of .914, a shade lower than Howard’s .915. Howard is entering the final year of his contract, and a Bernier signing would give the Red Wings options moving forward if they want to deal Howard at some point or part ways with the longtime Red Wings starter. Detroit has also been told that 6-foot-6 Jared Coreau is moving on to another opportunity.
Continued (paywall)…
Update: Pierre LeBrun confirms:
Always subject to change between now and Sunday, but at this hour on the goalie carousel, it would appear Carter Hutton is the leading option in Buffalo, Jonathan Bernier likely headed to Detroit and as we said before, Cam Ward likely to Chicago…
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 28, 2018
I think I’d rather have Lehner, even though he’s probably more expensive.
Lehner didn’t handle the pressures of a rebuilding team in Buffalo very well. Lots of drama on his part. Bernier is an enigma. When he’s good, he’s good. When he’s bad, he’s BAD. He did handle himself pretty well in front of a rather bad Leafs team when he was in Toronto. Also, Bernier has had some injury problems. And we know Jimmy Howard has had injury problems. Hopefully whoever the Wings sign will be able to stay injury free. Hopefully Jimmy Howard stays injury free too.