Red Wings sign Ian Mitchell, Jacob Bernard-Docker to one-year contracts

Steve Yzerman is working to add some organizational depth.

On Tuesday, the Detroit Red Wings announced it has signed defensemen Jacob Bernard-Docker and Ian Mitchell to one-year contracts. Bernard-Docker’s deal will carry a cap hit of $875,000, while Mitchell will be getting paid $775,000 through next season.

Both players became unrestricted free agents after their respective teams didn’t extend qualifying offers.

Bernard-Docker finished the 2024-25 season with the Buffalo Sabres after he, along with Josh Norris, was traded by the Ottawa Senators for Dylan Cozens, Dennis Gilbert and a draft pick. In 15 games with the Sabres, Bernard-Docker scored a goal and three assists for four points. In 40 overall games last year, he notched two goals and six assists for eight points.

In 144 NHL appearances across five seasons, the 25-year-old has scored six goals and 18 assists for 24 points.

It’s the third one-year contract in a row for Mitchell. He joined the Boston Bruins via trade with the Chicago Blackhawks, which saw Nick Foligno and Taylor Hall head to Chicago. Mitchell then re-signed with Boston last June with a $775,000 salary.

Mitchell has split his time between the NHL and the American Hockey League throughout his entire professional career. The former second-round pick has shown flashes of being a solid two-way defender. Thanks to a hard shot and decent awareness, he has managed to be a solid contributor in the minors, but hasn’t quite transitioned that to the big leagues.

This past season, he appeared in 15 games with the Bruins, registering an assist. With AHL Providence, Mitchell notched four goals and 23 assists for 27 points in 47 games.

In 110 NHL games, the St. Albert, Alberta native has scored four goals and 15 assists for 19 points. In 156 games in the AHL, he’s notched 23 goals and 70 assists for 93 points.