Some experienced help will now accompany John Gibson in the Ducks' goal crease.
The Ducks on Friday acquired goalie Jonathan Bernier from the Toronto Maple Leafs for a 2017 conditional draft pick. Bernier fills a hole created when Frederik Andersen was traded to the Leafs on June 20, effectively making Gibson the clear No. 1 goalie.
Seen at one point as the Maple Leafs' savior in net, Bernier ultimately lost his starting job as he often struggled while playing behind a suspect defense over three seasons. He had a 12-21-2 record, 2.88 goals-against average and .908 save percentage in 2015-16.
Bernier, who'll turn 28 in August, did have three shutouts last season and six during his time in Toronto. The Laval, Quebec, native was a first-round pick of the Kings in 2006 and spent three full seasons as Jonathan Quick's backup before being dealt to the Leafs.
Bernier has a $4.15 million salary cap hit for 2016-17 that the Ducks will absorb, but because the Leafs have already paid a $2 million signing bonus due on July 1, the Ducks will pay the goalie $2.15 million in actual salary.
The Ducks had been looking for another goalie but were content to watch a number of free-agent backups head elsewhere for less money. Trading for Bernier is a sign they contend he's potentially better than the others who were available.
But Bernier will need to find his game again as he reunites with Ducks coach Randy Carlyle, who had him for a season and a half in Toronto. He will seemingly have a better defense to play behind as the Ducks have intact a group that helped allow just 188 goals last season, the fewest in the NHL.
