Maple Leafs have a chance to add a first-round pick to the blue line via waivers

With Detroit placing Jacob Bernard-Docker on waivers, that gives the Maple Leafs a chance to add a first-round pick and much-needed insurance to the blue line.

The waiver wire found itself with one new name on the list Saturday, and that was Jacob Bernard-Docker. The former 26th overall pick has yet to skate this year for the Red Wings but did put up a solid season in 2025-26 with five points, 87 blocks, and 66 hits in 63 games.

His stat line shows you exactly what to expect from him, as he gives you a lot of physicality and is a shutdown defender as opposed to an offensive piece. But he has been a reliable piece when given a chance, though those have come few and far between.

Toronto should target Bernard-Docker off waivers from the Red Wings

Though he has dealt with an injury this season, he's now healthy and activated off the IR which means he is ready to contribute - and that's great news for the Maple Leafs.

With Toronto needing some more shutdown guys on the back end, and potentially resistant about spending assets right now, adding Bernard-Docker off waivers would be a smart decision. He's still only 26, he's a right-handed defenseman who can replace Nick Blankenburg or even Troy Stecher if needed.

Not only that, but he's also another no-nonsense player who will add more protection to the lineup and isn't afraid to step up if something goes awry with his teammates. Even as a cheap stop-gap option (he makes only $1.6M), it makes sense to pick him up.

Toronto's defensive depth has Bernard-Docker in their sights

It's not that you're getting a superstar or breakout player with Bernard-Docker, but you're getting a hyper-physical player who likes to put his body on the line, can kill penalties, and be someone you can throw out late game to take punishment.

Plus, the team doesn't have a true right-handed shutdown defenseman besides Chris Tanev and he's hurt. He'd also immediately make the blue line younger, and become Toronto's youngest D-man by a couple of years.

Stecher has been good and Blankenburg just got here so the jury's still out on him, but they still need help and bringing in Bernard-Docker at least stops the bleeding a little bit. Plus, he could be a good deterrent to Morgan Rielly's defensive miscues, as he can cover for him.

The team will have 24 hours to claim Bernard-Docker off waivers, but even if he clears he could still be on the target list as the Maple Leafs added Aatu Raty in a trade after he cleared waivers - so there's a chance we see another minor deal soon.

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