Senators defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker will miss an extended period while recovering from a high ankle sprain, head coach Travis Green told TSN 1200 Ottawa on Tuesday.
Bernard-Docker, 24, sustained the injury in practice on Monday after taking an awkward spill into the boards. He immediately left the session for evaluation, and it was clear he would miss time when Ottawa recalled Max Guenette from AHL Belleville earlier today. Bernard-Docker is likely headed for IR to accommodate Guenette’s recall.
The Sens’ second of two first-round picks in 2018 after Brady Tkachuk, Bernard-Docker has established himself as a roster fixture but not much more than that. He’s made 25 appearances this season and spent a good bit of time in the press box, posting a goal and three assists for four points and a plus-two rating when healthy.
Bernard-Docker has averaged 13:06 of ice time per game, down from last season’s 15:42 mark and no longer receiving fringe penalty kill deployment. That’s despite the Alberta native putting up better possession metrics at even strength, controlling 50.6% of shot attempts.
His usual pairing with Tyler Kleven has been on the ice for 10 goals, second on the team behind the Thomas Chabot–Nick Jensen pairing’s 33, per MoneyPuck. When dressed, he’s been an effective third-pairing piece, one the Sens will miss for the next few weeks despite the limited minutes he’s vacating.
Recovery from a high ankle sprain usually lasts around six weeks, meaning JBD should be back in action in mid-to-late-February if all goes well.