Moving Forward?: Marc-Andre Bergeron Needs a New Position More Than Anything

Written By: Mark “The Hard Hitter” Ritter

Looking over the remaining NHL free agent list one name stood out from the others. Not because he is an All-Star talent, not because he is the missing piece of the puzzle for some NHL team, no, it was because I think this particular player is in need of more than a change in scenery, this player needs a change in position.

His name?

Marc-Andre Bergeron.

Bergeron has spent parts of six NHL seasons as a defenseman with the Edmonton Oilers (2002-03, 2003-04, 2005-06, 2006-07), New York Islanders (2006-07, 2007-08) Anaheim Ducks (2007-08) and Minnesota Wild (2008-09).

In his short NHL career Bergeron has scored 62 goals and added 98 assists, good enough for 160 points in 339 career NHL games. At a glance you can see that Bergeron does have a decent amount of offensive talent. Question is, could he be even better? How much talent is being left off the table?

Bergeron set a career high in goals scored (15) and points scored (35) in 2005-06 as a member of the Edmonton Oilers. He would struggle to get back to that level until last season (2008-09), while playing for the offensively challenged Minnesota Wild, Bergeron enjoyed a decent season, finishing with 14 goals and 18 assists, good enough for 32 points.

On the surface, Bergeron’s numbers seem a little weak but, when you consider he averaged a paltry 16:54 in ice time (307th overall NHL), it’s not a stretch to think that, in the right opportunity, Bergeron could increase his numbers by leaps and bounds.

Bergeron has one of the best point shots in the NHL, which makes him very valuable on the Power Play. He is able to make a crisp pass out of the defensive zone and his play-making abilities are decent.

Now, before all you nit picking “Haters” get to clicking on your keyboards, let’s be clear here: Bergeron is no Niklas Lidstrom, what I am saying is, offensively, he is decent, nothing more, nothing less.

What Bergeron does not do well is defend in his own zone. He struggles to take his man out of the play and his defensive acuity is sub-par. So, why not consider moving Bergeron to Forward?

Look, stranger things have happened. After playing most of his junior career as a defenseman, the Toronto Maple Leafs turned the legendary Wendel Clark into a forward. Last season, with their forward lines depleted, the Leafs moved defenseman Ian White up to the wing, with modest success.

Bergeron has a very limited upside as a full-time NHL defenseman. He struggles in his own zone and at 5’9”, 198 pounds, he lacks the size to intimidate players down low. To be fair, Bergeron is not known for his physical prowess, but as a winger, I suspect he would be able to compete.

With 14 goals scored last season, Bergeron finished the season ranked 14th overall amongst defensemen. Surely he could score 20 if given a chance at forward, couldn’t he?

As an unrestricted free agent, I suspect the reason Bergeron has not signed with an NHL club is due to his defensive lapses and lack of size. The reality is, Bergeron has likely peaked as an NHL defenseman. A move to the wing would eliminate many of his defensive shortcomings and put Bergeron in a position to succeed, not only on the power play, also as a valuable offensive forward.

It says here that it’s high time one of the NHL’s 30 general managers gave Bergeron a shot as a forward. What have you got to lose? If he fails, you throw Bergeron back on defense, but if it pans out, you will likely have yourself a legitimate 20-goal scorer on your hands for the next three to five years.

Any takers???

Until next time,

Peace!