To conclude, I asked Ron Hextall about Jonathan Bernier (and there’s a bonus question at the end). Hextall shared his thoughts on Bernier, who went 30-21-6 with a 2.03 goals-against average and a .936 save percentage on the way to being named the goalie of the year in the AHL. Did Hextall, a former Vezina Trophy and Conn Smythe Trophy winner himself in goal, see everything he wanted to see from Bernier this season?
HEXTALL: “When we sent Jon down, the biggest message to him — because he was disappointed — the biggest message to him was, `Jon, go down to the American league and be the best goalie in the American league. That’s what you’re capable of, so go down and do it.’ To the kid’s credit, he took the challenge and he was the best goalie in the American league. There’s no doubt. He continued throughout the playoffs and — I didn’t see a lot of the playoffs, so I don’t like to throw stuff out — but he was certainly as good as I expected him to be in the playoffs. We all know he’s got the talent to do that, and mentally I think he grew immensely this year. That was the biggest part. When you say, `Where does a young goalie have to grow?’ a lot of times it’s between the ears, and for Jon it certainly was. I know we’ve talked about this, but he went down there last year and essentially — he didn’t waste a half a year, because you learn a lot of lessons from spinning your wheels — but he basically spun his wheels for half the year, probably feeling sorry for himself to some degree because he wasn’t in the NHL.
“This year, he didn’t waste a second. He went down there, right from the start and took the bull by the horns. `I’m going to be the best goalie in the American league,’ and his consistency was outstanding. That’s the biggest thing, when you talk about mental things for a goalie. Night after night, you’re consistent and locked in and you’re really growing mentally. That was the biggest part for him this year.”
Question: What’s the next step, then? You guys challenged him, and he essentially did everything you asked. You’ve got Quick here and you’ve got Ersberg under contract still. What’s the message to Bernier now? What’s the next challenge in his development?
HEXTALL: “The next challenge for him, and basically what I told him at the end of the year, is, `OK, Jon, you did everything we asked. Now you’ve got to get yourself in the best possible shape” — and he’s good at that, every year he comes to camp in real good shape — “and you’ve earned a platform to challenge for the job this year. That’s what you’ve earned. You haven’t earned the job. You’ve earned the right to challenge for the job, so get yourself into shape and come to come ready to challenge to win the job.’ That’s where it’s at. He’s not guaranteed anything, but he earned the right to challenge.”
Also, I asked Hextall about the thought — one that seems to be valid — that while the Kings have a lot of top prospects on the back end, they might be thin on pure scorers at the AHL level, particularly on the wings…
HEXTALL: “That’s hard to say, because so many times, a centerman will move to the wing. So do we have top-six talent there? Yeah, there is some top-six talent there, but to ask a kid to move into a top-six role, at the ages they’re at, no, there’s no chance. So I don’t see, with anybody we’ve got down there right now, us snapping our fingers and saying, `OK, we’ve got a top-six guy here next year.’ So, no, I don’t see that at this time.”
Question: So it would sort of be like a Wayne Simmonds stepping up into a top-six role and someone stepping into his top-nine role. That would be fairly common, right?
HEXTALL: “Absolutely, because if he’s going to be a top-six guy (in the NHL) next year, in all likelihood he’s in the NHL right now, maybe in a top-nine role.”
Great interviews!
I really appreciated the straight up delivery Hextall offered. No bs here! Putting it all together, Hextall basically describes his AHL club as one that was built from the goal out. If you’ve followed the team all year, you know that this team was all about Bernier and a talented if somewhat wet behind the ears d corps and forwards.
While allowing for the possibility of a trade, Hextall outlines that the vast majority of the players discussed have a long way to go physically if they want to make the Kings. No surprise there. It’s great that so many young guys are on the Monarchs, but if you’ve ever played sports against teenagers, even very talented ones, it’s really hard for them to compete physically with a grown man.
It was always assumed that one of the young dmen will make the jump next year, there’s really no way the Kings bring up two rookie defensemen (would Zhitnik and Sydor make this team as rookies?) at the same time. Similarly, you can probably pencil in one or two forwards from the Monarchs moving up next season depending on team needs. I did think that Hextall’s comment about centers possibly shifting to wing was telling; Schenn, Moller, Loktionov all fall into this category.
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Hmmmmmm. A top-6 spot for Simmonds? I wonder just which spot might be open…?
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bernier will be our #1 and win the cup for us.
i hope i see him between the pipes at the start of the season.
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Mike L Reply:
May 28th, 2010 at 9:29 pm
@jofa6000,
You hope is set on the fact Bernier proves himself in training camp and WINS the job
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jofa6000 Reply:
May 28th, 2010 at 10:19 pm
@Mike L, this kid is the real deal. i’ve seen him practice and play and i gotta tell u he’s a workhorse
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Mike L Reply:
May 29th, 2010 at 1:18 am
@jofa6000,
Trust me i think the sky is the limit for Bernier but still he’s gonna have to win the job away from Quick who is the #1 right now, it will be a interesting and great training camp.
c-nut Reply:
May 29th, 2010 at 8:30 am
@jofa6000, With Quick and Bernier, I think we could have the best goaltending in the NHL. Quick was only like 7 or 8 wins off the lead this year, phenominal for a second year guy, and Berniers future is so bright, I can’t wait til next year.
KC23 Reply:
May 29th, 2010 at 8:22 am
@jofa6000,
Only thing Bernier has proven is he is the best in the AHL. Nothing more, nothing less.
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tantrum4 Reply:
May 29th, 2010 at 8:54 am
@KC23,
Well that’s a pretty good start if you ask me…
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EJ Reply:
May 29th, 2010 at 9:12 am
@KC23,
Well I’d have to say that he’s shown in his handful of NHL starts that he’s not out of place in the bigs.
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smoKING gun Reply:
May 29th, 2010 at 10:25 am
@KC23,
Agreed. Anyone remember Jason La Barbera? He had an impressive AHL career, was the AHL’s top goaltender in 04 and 07. The Kings gave him every opportunity to be the # 1 guy but he couldn’t put it together. Success at one level does not guarantee success at another.
HOWEVER, I’m more than optimistic that Bernier will be an entirely different story. I may be shooting the moon here but I’m hoping for a Broduer like career from this kid.
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Quisp Reply:
May 29th, 2010 at 11:42 am
@smoKING gun,
The Jason LaBarbera comparison cuts both ways.
1) bernier could turn out to be labarbera — because they were both great in the AHL.
2) quick could turn out to be labarbera — labarbera was murray’s declared #1 goalie literally right up to and including the day of his last start as a King.
in terms of playing style, he’s closer to quick than bernier, though this doesn’t mean much. bernier is technically much better than either goalie. quick is more athletic than labarbera.
although labarbera was excellent in the AHL, he did it at a much more advanced age. labarbera was 27 by the time he was the go-to guy for the kings. labarbera’s first taste of NHL action (a handful of games for the Rangers) didn’t come until he was 24 (maybe 23). Bernier was a few weeks past his 19th birthday when he started in London against the Ducks. He will be 22 in a couple of months. there are other points of comparison. bernier has spent most of his career in the spotlight, under pressure, team canada, international competition, first round selection, etc.; Labarbera’s biggest pressure was being declared the starter for the kings in 2008.
but even beyond all that, we’ve seen labarbera play. a lot. there’s no comparison.
Quisp Reply:
May 29th, 2010 at 11:24 am
Anyone who thinks or predicts that Bernier will be the #1 goalie next year is also predicting that Bernier wins the job in camp. Nobody thinks Bernier will suck in camp or be outperformed in camp and be given the #1 job anyway. I’m not sure anyone even thinks that Bernier will be called the number one goalie, even in the event of him outperforming Quick. I myself don’t think Bernier will be called #1 unless he is stellar and Quick craps out. Which I don’t think will happen.
But Hextall clearly says something that no one else has said explicitly (although to pat myself on the back I have been saying it all along), and that is: Bernier has earned the right to challenge for the #1 job.
So everyone can just put away all this “Quick is the #1 no matter what he’s earned it.” He’s earned it until he un-earns it. And he unearns it by being outplayed. The goalie who is playing better will get the starts.
I think it’s extremely unlikely that Bernier makes the team and only starts 10-15 games.
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variable Reply:
May 29th, 2010 at 12:15 pm
@Quisp,
yep…
this is still to me considered to be on the list of “no brainer” subjects of discussion…
the methodology the kings have followed in maturating these two has been very good…there is no reason to believe that it won’t continue come training camp…
bernier has earned his shot like everyone else…but to anoint him lord of thy manor and tout him as the savior only after 3…three…THREE..games is ridiculous…
the kings team has been upgraded in recent years from a moped to a harley…to give the keys to a first-time driver like bernier is a bit premature in the month of may…and considering come september that jq is positioned at the pole, it’s his job to lose and bernier’s job to earn…
i really would like to use my best john houseman voice right now…
(motorcycle analogy – for hoppy…rest in peace)
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wavesinair Reply:
May 29th, 2010 at 12:28 pm
@variable, i love it v. starting a new trend of dedicating comments to people! for hoppy!
Joel Reply:
May 29th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
@Quisp, I don’t really think it matters who the #1 is going to be next season. There is no doubt that both Bernier and Quick are with the Kings next season for the long haul. The only issue in my mind is whether Terry Murray will exercise good judgment in using both of his goalies.
All coaches make mistakes and to Murray’s credit, he took accountability for possibly burning out Quick this season. Now that he has coached Quick for a full season, he won’t have any more excuses.
So long as both goalies get balanced time and have time to work on their fundamentals with Ranford, the Kings will have improved goaltending next season no matter who they have in net from game to game.
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puck73 Reply:
May 29th, 2010 at 1:45 pm
@Joel, I agree with you sir on all points. I think it is safe ta assume 2 things..#1 Bernier will at the very Least will be a backup after his performance in the AHL this season, and #2 Bernier will play at Least 20 games this year minimum ! I think TM will feel much better about the goaltending situation this season and let Bernier play a lot so he can stay sharp and Quick can stay fresh.. It should be a win win situation this coming season !
quisp Reply:
May 29th, 2010 at 3:18 pm
@Joel,
concur 100%
Off-topic but Gary Bettman said that the salary cap will go up 2 million $ next year with the strength of the Canadian dollar being a strength but overall shows the League is doing well.
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KC23 Reply:
May 29th, 2010 at 8:23 am
@Mike L,
Yeah, that is good news especially in this economy.
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Great stuff, thx Rich
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Just curious as to why Hextall didn’t see much of the play-offs?? If he’s the Monarchs GM and the play-offs are the most important part of the season, shouldn’t he be there??
Maybe he’s up to watch the Kings play-off games, but if he’s in charge of the Monarch’s(the King’s future), shouldn’t he be watching their games?
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Marc Nathan Reply:
May 29th, 2010 at 1:10 am
@BK40, he was certainly at games 3, 4, 5 vs. Hershey….
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As always, fabulous stuff.
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Hexy is going to make someone a great GM…..
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How is it that Hextall can tell Bernier that he’s going to be given the chance to fight for the job in the NHL when Terry Murray has already said that Quick is the #1 goalie starting next year? What job is Bernier fighting for? If Quick is the #1 I’d rather see Bernier play every night in the AHL and keep Ersberg as the #2 until his contract runs out. More experience for Bernier is never a bad thing.
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Lloyd Christmas Reply:
May 29th, 2010 at 6:35 am
@Paul From Oxnard,
My main concern is that if Bernier keeps getting strung along, keeping him long term (if that is our goal) becomes very difficult. This isn’t Toronto or Montreal, or any other team that these kids grew up loving, of course with a few exceptions. I am really concerned that we would be pushing him out.
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KC23 Reply:
May 29th, 2010 at 8:24 am
@Paul From Oxnard,
Makes sense to me, what part don’t you understand?
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Paul From Oxnard Reply:
May 29th, 2010 at 8:25 am
@KC23, Ummmm…the part where he says he told Bernier he would have a chance to compete for the job next year? Considering that TM says the job belongs to Quick that sounds a bit contradictory to me.
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c-nut Reply:
May 29th, 2010 at 8:34 am
@Paul From Oxnard, at the NHL level you compete for your job everyday. Whoever gives the best chance to win, plays in my book.
Skebo Reply:
May 29th, 2010 at 11:21 am
@Paul From Oxnard,
TM has only said that JQ will start the season/training camp as the Kings #1. And Hextall is basically saying that JB will be given a shot for a spot with the Kings. That only means that JB has to beat out EE (likely) or JQ (less likely) to earn a spot with the Kings. If JB comes into camp in great shape and on top of his game and JQ completely flops, then possibly JQ loses that #1 title.
Either way it’s a win/win for the Kings organization and I certainly wouldn’t mind seeing a “1A/1B” goalie rotation until late in season, versus the “#1/#2 that TM won’t play” rotation that led to an overplayed and tired goalie down the stretch.
quisp Reply:
May 29th, 2010 at 11:52 am
@Paul From Oxnard,
bernier will not play in the AHL any more. That ship has sailed. Ersberg will be traded. And the best goalie in camp will get the most starts. Hextall is not only the GM of Manchester, he is the asst GM of the Kings. He answers to (and speaks for) Lombardi.
Hextall is saying that Bernier has earned the right to challenge because it’s true. Murray has said that Quick is his #1 because it’s true, technically, since Bernier isn’t on the team. Murray has never said anything about choosing betweeen Bernier and Quick, except to say that Bernier is in Manchester so he’s not on the roster, so he’s not a choice.
He’s not saying Quick will be #1 next year no matter what. Quick has to defend his position in camp. Just like everyone else. Everyone knows if Bernier is playing better than Quick, he will play. If Quick is better, Quick will play.
People are fond of saying that Quick has earned this or that and Bernier hasn’t proven anything. Quick has earned his place on the team as long as he keeps up his level of play. that’s all anyone can earn. if all bernier has proved is that he’s a great minor league goalie, then all quick has proven is he can stop pucks with a mediocre shooting percentage and a mediocre GAA and has the stamina to play something like 50 games. he didn’t even have as good a season as carey price two seasons ago, and look what that performance “earned” Price. Nothing. Because he didn’t keep it up. Ditto for Mason in Columbus. That’s the way it goes. Everyone knows it. So why are we pretending that Quick has some kind of tenure and anyone who thinks Bernier is going to supplant him is nuts?
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wavesinair Reply:
May 29th, 2010 at 1:30 pm
@Paul From Oxnard,
Couple of little things.
First, I totally understand how people can look at TM’s #1 tag as unfair but if you read what others are saying, you can clearly see how that tag should mean nothing to Bernier. If JB can’t understand why Quick would be the guy going into camp, then he’s not nearly as mature as we hope him to be. Control what you can control and forget about the other stuff.
In other words, despite JB’s fans sensing an inevitable rise to greatness, JB himself hopefully understands that his fate is undeniably tied to his performance from now on… next year and for the rest of his career. Even great goalies (and maybe especially great ones) fully understand that their job, their reputation, their legacy if you will, can be cruelly altered by a string of poor performances. And I think it’s that very understanding that motivates the great ones to avoid that from happening.
The idea that JB should to back to the AHL is probably just about the worst thing to do at this point in his development. It’s clearly stated that he was given a challenge that he accomplished with flying colors. He conquered the AHL and there is nothing left there for him to prove. That is a fact that cannot not be ignored without dire consequences.
I think it’s interesting to note what Skebo pointed out in that Hex said JB has earned the right to compete for “the” job, which I find to be an interesting choice of words. He doesn’t say backup job or starting job.
So while what Quisp says has about a 97% chance of coming true this season (EE traded, JB backup; barring injury, trade or tragedy) Skebo’s point that Ersberg is still plainly in the mix in the short-term allows the scenario to be much more compete-focused (and much less organization-focused) as we head into camp. As it should be. As V said it’s a no brainer.
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quisp Reply:
May 29th, 2010 at 3:27 pm
@wavesinair,
I’m not saying it’s impossible for Ersberg to still be with the team come training camp. But if I had to bet on one thing happening for sure between now and September 30, it would be that Ersberg will be dealt. To me that’s more certain than any other roster move, more than any UFA signings (of new faces), any trade scenario, whatever.
It’s not just that Bernier is ready, it’s that Zatkoff is ready to start, and Jones is ready for the AHL. The whole pipeline moves forward. The idea that Bernier would not get at least a couple of dozen games in his contract year is unthinkable. At least, I can’t think it.
Also, Ersberg is an attractive asset, super affordable and a decent back-up.
Also:
I don’t doubt that Hextall is talking about the starting job. If we had Ryan Miller, it would be different. But we don’t, so it’s not.
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carol vadnais Reply:
June 3rd, 2010 at 9:41 am
@quisp,
Anyone who thinks Quisp is bonafide No 1 is deluding themselves. If Tim Thomas can be the best goalie in the NHL one year and the next be riding the bench, anything can happen.
We all saw Quick in the playoffs and we all know that we need better production if we want to step up to the next level. Bernier will have to play exceptionally well to merit that, but he just might do it. As DL says, “he has that ceiling.”
Top 9?? So are 4th line guys now considered Top 12?
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Bettman said if the players take the 5% then the cap should go up a little over 2 million. Also mentioned highest tv ratings since 94 and most revenue too.
So we’re looking at a 59 million cap.
Back to prospects – I think Muzzin is the most ready d-man, Schenn the most ready forward and Bernier obviously is over ripe.
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quisp Reply:
May 29th, 2010 at 12:44 pm
@54FIGHTING,
doubt it. i don’t see why the NHLPA would invoke the 5%, that’s money out of their own pockets if revenues don’t increase. the cap will stay flat. bettman saying that the cap will go up 2MM if the players cough up the 5% is saying the cap will stay flat (since 5% of $56.7 is a little more than $2MM).
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Bernier and Quick will be our 1-2 punch next year. I’m not sure who will be the starter. My prediction is that Quick will play 50 games and Bernier’ll play 30. But my question is what will happen to poor little Ersberg?
Erik Ersberg was not relied upon at all last season but in the breif moments where he get playing time, he wasn’t completely terrible. I like him but it has become pretty obvious that he won’t be playing for the Kings next year.
So where does he end up? He could either beat out Bernier for the back-up spot (doubt it), he might be placed on waivors and play for Manchester, or he could be a part of a big trade. What do you Kings fans think, because I’m lost?
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Gold Dust Reply:
May 29th, 2010 at 10:19 am
@The Future, Watch the Donnie Brasco movie and fuhghett about it!!!!!this tandem will be the best in the NHL!!!!!!
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The one theme I pickup up from this interview as well as ones with Dean is that while we all have major expectations with a lot of these kids, they are still just 19-21 years old and still have a lot of growing to do.
There is a major difference between the level of conditioning needed from onr being able to dominate at Junior and the AHL let alone the NHL.
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I got this crazy feeling , with Bernier pushing Quick , that we might just have the best tandem in the nhl next year!!call me crazy , call me nuts ,but if Quick gets his game back on track , wich he should , Goaltending worries will be a thing of the past THE HORROR, THE HORROR!!!!
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Hey future!! Ersberg is soooooo, passe!!!Wich is french for past, so do like Donnie Brasco and FUGHET ABOUT IT!!!
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Well, based on my conversation with Luc the other day and with Hexy’s bonus answer, this does NOT look good for Oscar Moller making the team next season. Luc says he needs to be a top 6 because of his size and Hex is saying he doesn’t see any top 6′s in Manchester at this time, that bodes very badly for Mols.
Oscar is going to need a HUGE summer, bulk up any way he can (Legally), and blow doors at training camp if he wants to make the team this year. Otherwise (Gulp!) I see him being part of a trade to bring in some scoring. He’s such a good kid and easy to root for, I feel bad he’s in this position.
Protein shakes Oscar…….6 a day until you can’t poop anymore.
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The one thing I took from all the interview as well as ones from Dean is that this group is talented but is still quite young. At 18-19 there is a need to finish growing and adding bulk and being better conditioned.
It’s quite a step from Juniors to the AHL let alone the NHL in speed and physical play.
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Did Hexy talk about Zaktoff at all?
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