Bernier's Arbitration Case | Sides settle at 2 years, $4.15mil AAV

[CarltonTheBear]

Bernier has his arbitration case scheduled for this Friday. So far we haven't heard much from the media regarding any contract talks between the two sides or any indication as to what either side is looking for.

Both MLHS and TLN took a look at his arbitration case recently and came to the conclusion that he's likely to get something in the $4-5mil range:

http://mapleleafshotstove.com/2015/07/22/jonathan-bernier/
http://theleafsnation.com/2015/7/28/mocking-arbitration-the-jonathan-bernier-hearing



Update:

[tweet]627863794937630720[/tweet]

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Here's each side's position going in:

@FriedgeHNIC 

Bernier ask: $5.1M. TOR offer: $2.89M

 

[Highlander]

He must be getting that much money for shell shock suffered last season.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Usually the team goes very low, the player goes very high, and the arbitrator picks a number basically in the middle (making arbitration a pretty pointless situation but whatever). Bernier's ask here though is actually pretty reasonable, I'm surprised he didn't go higher.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

The Leafs ask is actually the minimum that they were allowed to come up with (85% of Bernier's previous salary).

 

[Can8899]

The Leafs ask is actually the minimum that they were allowed to come up with (85% of Bernier's previous salary).

This is very surprising to me.  Has the potential to really upset Bernier.  While I'm not the biggest Bernier fan, I'm not sure he deserves less than what he received last season. 

I expect a $4mil salary for him next season in one form or another (through arbitration or another bridge deal).

 

[L K]

The Leafs ask is actually the minimum that they were allowed to come up with (85% of Bernier's previous salary).

I don't really care one-way or the other on what he gets paid.  The Leafs have enough cap space to pay him 5 million.  My concern is that I'm not sold that Bernier is a definite #1 goaltender that can win a Stanley Cup/be a regular contender.  If he's being paid 5 million through the rebuild now it makes a long-term contract extension more expensive later.  So if the Leafs do want to commit to him later on he's going to be considerably more expensive that a guy like Holtby at 6 million.

 

[Frank E]

The Leafs ask is actually the minimum that they were allowed to come up with (85% of Bernier's previous salary).

I don't really care one-way or the other on what he gets paid.  The Leafs have enough cap space to pay him 5 million.  My concern is that I'm not sold that Bernier is a definite #1 goaltender that can win a Stanley Cup/be a regular contender.  If he's being paid 5 million through the rebuild now it makes a long-term contract extension more expensive later.  So if the Leafs do want to commit to him later on he's going to be considerably more expensive that a guy like Holtby at 6 million.

If you're not sold on him being a #1, why do you think he'd be more that Holtby next year?

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I don't really care one-way or the other on what he gets paid.  The Leafs have enough cap space to pay him 5 million.  My concern is that I'm not sold that Bernier is a definite #1 goaltender that can win a Stanley Cup/be a regular contender.  If he's being paid 5 million through the rebuild now it makes a long-term contract extension more expensive later.  So if the Leafs do want to commit to him later on he's going to be considerably more expensive that a guy like Holtby at 6 million.

I don't see him getting more than $6mil on a long-term deal. Holtby, Schneider, Varlamov, Bishop, Crawford and Fleury are all better than Bernier (or at least have the hardware in their corner) and they all recently signed for $5.75-6.1mil. Holtby's deal in particular really puts a cap on his limit I think. Unless Bernier wins the Vezina this season there's just no way he gets more than him.

 

[Highlander]

I don't believe Bernier is the real deal as yet, if he stays this year he has a lot to prove to me.  Personally I want to see him traded for a pick of some sort or packaged with Bozak for more picks. We have Reimer whom can bridge the gap and some very talented prospects learning the game with the Marlies/Solar Bears.

 

[L K]

The Leafs ask is actually the minimum that they were allowed to come up with (85% of Bernier's previous salary).

I don't really care one-way or the other on what he gets paid.  The Leafs have enough cap space to pay him 5 million.  My concern is that I'm not sold that Bernier is a definite #1 goaltender that can win a Stanley Cup/be a regular contender.  If he's being paid 5 million through the rebuild now it makes a long-term contract extension more expensive later.  So if the Leafs do want to commit to him later on he's going to be considerably more expensive that a guy like Holtby at 6 million.

If you're not sold on him being a #1, why do you think he'd be more that Holtby next year?

Some in the organization might view him as such and since I'm not Brendan Shanahan/Lou Lamoriello I can't veto them.  I think Bernier's a good goaltender.  He's mistake prone and I think he lacks the mental focus to be that guy who completely shuts down a team and can carry the Leafs through tough games.  But he has a lot of good attributes in his game and I think that potentially affords him a payday if he has a strong year in a meaningless season.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

One thing to keep in mind: assuming that he gets a 1-year deal now, either through arbitration or the two sides working it out on their own, Bernier will be a UFA next summer.

 

[Kin]

I figure Bernier is in more or less the same situation as Kadri. They don't really want to sign him long term so this is just an audition year for him.

 

[Highlander]

Yes, make them both play banner seasons.

 

[Bullfrog]

I don't believe Bernier is the real deal as yet, if he stays this year he has a lot to prove to me.  Personally I want to see him traded for a pick of some sort or packaged with Bozak for more picks. We have Reimer whom can bridge the gap and some very talented prospects learning the game with the Marlies/Solar Bears.

who: can you replace with he/she? (object)
whom: can you replace with him/her? (subject)

"...he can bridge the gap..." (correct, who is appropriate)
"...him can bridge the gap..." (wrong, whom is not appropriate)

 

[Highlander]

Man this whom who thing has me just saying who all the time, I relapsed sorry grammer police.

 

[Kin]

Man this whom who thing has me just saying who all the time, I relapsed sorry grammer police.

Is he arresting the star of Frasier?

 

[Highlander]

I wish it was at least rookie tournament, this August thing is boring and very hot/humid

 

[cabber24]

I couldn't care less about who plays net this year.

 

[Peter D.]

One thing to keep in mind: assuming that he gets a 1-year deal now, either through arbitration or the two sides working it out on their own, Bernier will be a UFA next summer.

Give him a 2-year deal worth $9-10 million.  Buy up a year of UFA, and that should be enough time for the team to determine if he is the real deal worthy of a lengthy and lucrative contract, or he is to be used as trade bait. 

One-year deals leading up to UFA are scary propositions for players of his calibre.