Buffalo Sabres RFA Report: Steve Bernier
by D.O.
on May 23, 2008 8:00 AM EDT
in Free Agents
This is the third of the free agent reports that I'll be doing over the next couple of weeks. There is no hurry on getting these done so I have not set a time table on when they will be completed. There will be posts everyday but we will focus on whatever is news worthy instead of only the free agent reports.
Daniel Paille (RFA)- read post
Paul Gaustad (RFA)- read post
Clarke MacArthur (RFA)- read post
Steve Bernier (RFA)-
Mark Mancari (RFA)-
Dmitri Kalinin (UFA)-
Teppo Numminen (UFA)-
Nolan Pratt (UFA)-
Mike Ryan (UFA)-
Jocelyn Thibault (UFA)-
RW Steve Bernier- 6'2", 225 lbs.
07-08 76GP 16G-16A-32P 64PIM
career 177GP 45G-45A-90P 128PIM
Strengths
Steve Bernier is known for being a power forward since back in his days in Juniors playing for the Moncton Wildcats. He also has a bit of a scoring touch, all Sabres fans remember his two goals in his Buffalo Sabres debut. Bernier is not a just a power forward with a scoring touch, he has a mean streak as well. Sabres fans got a glimpse of that when he defended Derek Roy after an altercation with Jordon Tootoo. At the young age of 23 Bernier has played in 177 NHL games and he has scored 45 goals while amassing 128 penalty minutes.
Weaknesses
It's beginning to sound like a broken record but like the other young players he struggles with consistency. The knock on Bernier while with San Jose was that he was power forward that didn't play like one. I have watched this guy play and I have seen video of him playing and I have seen him play a physical style but he needs to do it every night without taking any nights off. In his first pro season he scored 20 goals and had 43 points with the Cleveland Barons before being called up to San Jose to finish the season. He also had an immediate impact in the Sharks lineup but he eventually cooled off. Last year Bernier had only 16 goals and 16 assists in 76 games played.
Bottom Line
If Bernier gets his head on straight and plays hard in every game he could become one of the dominant power forwards in the NHL. Only time will tell if the Sabres made a good trade or not but the sky is the limit for Bernier. He was once a first round draft pick of the San Jose Sharks and he has proven that he can put up good numbers in the NHL as well. It's all just a matter of putting it all together for Bernier.
Verdict: The Sabres did not trade for Bernier so they could lose him to free agency. He will definitely be re-signed and if he isn't expect the lynch mob to come out and head down to "The Bank". It's evident that Brian Campbell was probably not going to sign with the Sabres but that doesn't change the fact that he was another popular player that the Sabres management let leave.
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You have to think
that there was a lot of pressure on Brenier when he first came here…really he was traded for an all-star defensman and was expected to produce…I was a little disapointed in his goal drop off after the first night (I think we were all chomping at the bit after that game)...the reality is he only play a part of the season with this team and I would like to see what he can after a couple weeks of training camp under Ruff…the thing I like about Lindy is his ability to call his players out (cough Kalinin and Vanek) and motivate them to use thier abilities and play within themselves…I think that Brenier needs a coach like Lindy to get the fire under his ass and play like he is capable of…I am also interested to see what line combo’s would be presented with him in there I think that him and a healty Conoly could do alot esp on the PP but only time will tell and I hope that they sign this kid I think we could have some bruisers in our line up with Goose and Kaleta and Brenier knockin people around…this is a young team with lots of room to grow, hopeully they grow up right
D.O. whats the word on Maxxy boy, don’t hear any rumors down south here, and I am a big fan of his and I hope the sabres keep him and he plays well but you always have to think team first and I was curious if there have been any bites on Darcy’s remarks from a month ago?
by Lion Alum on May 23, 2008 12:13 PM EDT 0 recs
Afinogenov
There has been nothing new on Afinogenov. I have defended him year in and year out, I am even the proud owner of a Max Afinogenov jersey, but I think it’s time he moves on. He could never put all that talent together. I think if they let him go, they know exactly what they are losing, he isn’t the type of guy who is going to go somewhere else and set the world on fire. It’s a shame to see all that talent go to waist but he has to be traded.
by D.O. on
May 23, 2008 8:37 PM EDT
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