Will this transfer change the competition?: That is why Berni is giving his regular club ZSC the cold shoulder

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Many expected Tim Berni (23) to return to the ZSC Lions. Because they really wanted him and he is a former ZSC junior who has never played for another club in Switzerland. Even during his years in North America, Berni always found himself in preseason form with ZSC or the GCK Lions. But the defenseman, who played 59 games for the Columbus Blue Jackets last season but was recently denied a new NHL contract, has decided otherwise. Free from sentimentality, he made a club choice that made more sense to him.

Berni has signed a four-year contract in Geneva. Still, his goal is to push for a return to the NHL. The conditions for this are better in Geneva than in Zurich. With ZSC, which is currently functioning very well defensively, he should certainly have lined up behind Lehtonen, Kukan and Marti, possibly also behind Geering and Weber, and fought for the remaining ice time with Trutmann, Phil Baltisberger and Ustinkov. It is difficult to immediately come to the fore.

Key role guaranteed

In Geneva he has fewer defenders in front of him. So certainly the two foreigners Vatanen and Lennström, but behind them the Dübendorfer is applying for the following places together with Karrer and LeCoultre. For Maurer, Jacquemet, Völlmin and Chanton. Berni can immediately take on a key role and should be given enough space to show what he can do. And at least with the ambitious current master’s degree.

If you’re looking for a weakness in this one, it’s probably the somewhat poor width in defence. Berni has now resolved this. Which could also have a decisive influence on the championship. The player from Zurich is not an attacking star who scores 30 points. But a solid two-way defender, with a low error rate and good ideas for building play. He can significantly improve Servette’s backline.

ZSC doesn’t need Berni

With his move to Servette, Berni is not really leaving the scorched earth in Zurich. For example, if he had gone to Zug, geographically close to ZSC’s major opponent in recent years, things would have been different. But if a player on the other side of Switzerland wants to experience a new city and a completely different environment with a new language, then he is more likely to understand. And let’s be honest: the ZSC Lions don’t really need Berni right now. For them it would have been particularly attractive for the longer term.

Source : Blick