Bernier’s pretty darn good, but it’s too early to name him Howard’s successor

The Hockey News’s Jared Clinton offers a set of goaltenders who may usurp their teams’ starting goaltender’s spots, and while Jimmy Howard’s health is always of concern…I think that Clinton is writing Howard off to his peril:

JONATHAN BERNIER, DETROIT RED WINGS
As he enters the final season of a six-year contract with the Red Wings, it can safely be said that the writing is on the wall for veteran netminder Jimmy Howard. Long considered as a trade chip for Detroit, albeit one that they’ve been unable to move, the Red Wings went out and brought in some insurance for the oft-injured keeper this summer when they inked Bernier to a three-year, $9-million pact. And while Bernier might not seem a sizeable upgrade over the incumbent Red Wings netminder, the numbers suggest differently.

When Howard, 34, has been healthy over the past few seasons, he has managed a halfway decent .912 save percentage and 2.68 goals-against average across 123 games. But Bernier, though in a backup role, has been just as solid with a .912 SP and 2.75 GAA of his own. The difference? Bernier has more consistently average than Howard, who has only eclipsed a .910 SP once in the past five seasons. Bernier, meanwhile, has only one season below the .910 SP mark.

The two are all but certain to split time out of the gates, but if or when Howard stumbles — and if or when he falls injured — the crease is likely to fall into Bernier’s hands and it could remain that way for the next few seasons.

Continued, and Petr Mrazek makes Clinton’s list, too. Mrazek was also supposed to send Howard to the recycling bin.

I like Bernier, but it’s not going to be easy for him to knock off the Wings’ incumbent #1.

 

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George Malik

My name is George Malik, and I'm the Malik Report's editor/blogger/poster. I have been blogging about the Red Wings since 2006, and have worked with MLive and Kukla's Korner. Thank you for reading!

2 thoughts on “Bernier’s pretty darn good, but it’s too early to name him Howard’s successor”

  1. “I like Bernier, but it’s not going to be easy for him to knock off the Wings’ incumbent #1. ”

    34 going on 35 with looming injury problems is more than likely going to bite Howard again and soon. The better question if Bernier is needed as an injury replacement. Who is going backup Bernier especially if long term is required, scary thought. Will see

  2. Bernier has had to backstop some teams with less than stellar D the same as Jimmy has with the Wings. He held his own for the most part. He also has had a few bouts with injury. I just hope he and Jimmy turn into a decent tandem through this season at least. If the Wings want to be competitive on a nightly basis they will need both Howard and Bernier to really be good.

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