Fantasy Summary
Has offensive upside and can be fantasy relevant in deepest of leagues but will have a difficult time making it to the NHL.
Observations
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May 2023 – Berni will not be worth much in the offense department, but he plays a good physical game, accrues a decent amount of shots, and hits efficiently. Depending on injuries, Berni might see his ice time get cut this year, and will likely only have worth in the deepest rounds of your fantasy drafts. Joshua Rosa
December 2019 – Berni will be heading to the Czech Republic to suit up for the Swiss national team in this year’s WJC. This will be the 19-year-old’s third go in the tournament and should eat up minutes on one of the team’s top two units. The 2018 draft-pick sits with just eight points (4G + 4A) through 27 NLA (ZSC Lions) games this season but continues to make strides in his defensive game. He’s yet to ink a deal with Columbus so until that happens, his future in fantasy leagues remains uncertain. Dave Hall
November 2019 – Playing in his second full season with the ZSC Lions (NLA), Berni’s game continues to develop. The 19-year-old has already matched his point totals from last season with four goals and four assists. These numbers are a promising sign as it has taken 22 fewer games to do so. The Swiss d-man has yet to sign a deal with the Blue Jackets organization so his fantasy value stays at bay. However, the organization should be content with his growth so far. Dave Hall
June 2019 – Last year, Berni scored eight points in 41 regular-season games for ZSC Lions of the NLA. The 19-year-old is gaining valuable experience by playing in the Swiss League but needs much more development. If he wants to remain with Columbus, he will need to sign an entry-level contract. Until that happens, the Swiss defender has no fantasy value. Frank Pellegrini
March 2019 – Berni climbed up the NHL Central Scouting ranks last year from 93rd at midterm to 62nd by year end. That ascension prompted the Blue Jackets to trade up into the top of the sixth round to select him. He has good hockey sense which allows him to move the puck well and run a powerplay. He is an average skater and will need to improve on that if he wants to play in North America. Having captained Switzerland’s U16 and U18 teams, Berni has developed solid leadership skills. Columbus has developed a deep defense core so the path for Berni to the NHL could be a long and challenging one. He will have to improve his skating and provide solid offensive production in the AHL . Best case scenario is that Berni earns a reegular role on the Blue Jackets in three years and produces 20 points annually. Worst case scenario, he becomes an AHL mainstay. As a result, his fantasy value is limited and reserved for dynasty leagues only. Frank Pellegrini
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