Red Wings’ Jacob Bernard-Docker day-to-day with upper-body injury

Some news on the injury front in Hockeytown as training camp nears its end.

On Friday, Detroit Red Wings head coach Todd McLellan told reporters that defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker is day-to-day with an upper-body injury. He also mentioned that forward Dylan Larkin won’t be in the lineup for the team’s final preseason game, as he’s still recovering from a UBI of his own.

Bernard-Docker has appeared in two of the Red Wings’ first three preseason games, but didn’t register a point on Monday against the Columbus Blue Jackets, nor against the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night. He’s averaged well over 20 minutes of ice time per game, but McLellan didn’t reveal where or how Bernard-Docker was hurt prior to Friday’s announcement.

Bernard-Docker was feeling pretty good coming into the 2026-27 season. After spending last season on a one-year deal, his play impressed Detroit’s brass enough to warrant him a two-year contract extension. The deal carries an AAV of $1.6 million through the 2027-28 season. In his 63 appearances last season, the 26-year-old posted just one goal and five points, registering an even plus/minus while averaging less than 15 minutes of ice time per game.

With Larkin being absent for Saturday’s preseason finale against the Blue Jackets, the former captain won’t have seen any game action prior to the regular season. The summer was a tumultuous one for the Michigan native, as he made headlines for requesting a trade from the only team he’s ever known. While that list has reportedly grown, the Wings haven’t been able to get a deal done, leading to what could be an awkward situation if No. 71 is on the ice when the puck drops on the new campaign.

The Red Wings will open the regular season on Oct. 2 against the New York Rangers.