Jonathan Bernier signed a two-year, $8.25 million contract with the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday. It has an average annual value of $4.125 million.
The goalie, who will turn 33 on Aug. 7, was an unrestricted free agent. He was 9-11-1 with a 2.99 GAA and .914 save percentage in 24 games (23 starts) for the Detroit Red Wings last season.
“Bringing in Jonathan provides us with a solid and experienced veteran presence in net,” Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald said. “In consultation with our goaltending development department, we believe that this gives us the stability we have been looking for and can help support and push (goalie) Mackenzie [Blackwood] moving forward. He’s going to be a great influence on our young team and is excited to join the group.”
The Carolina Hurricanes acquired Bernier in a trade with the Red Wings for goalie Alex Nedeljkovic on July 22. Carolina also received a third-round pick (No. 94) in the 2021 NHL Draft.
Selected by the Los Angeles Kings with the No. 11 pick in the 2006 NHL Draft, Bernier is 161-159-39 with a 2.77 GAA, .913 save percentage and 18 shutouts in 394 regular-season games (355 starts) with the Kings, Toronto Maple Leafs, Anaheim Ducks, Colorado Avalanche and Red Wings. He is 2-5 with a 3.35 GAA and .885 save percentage in nine playoff games (five starts).
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