Backup goaltender Jonathan Bernier has signed a two-year extension with the Los Angeles Kings, the team announced today. The deal, which will run through the 2012-2013 season, is worth $2.5 million, per Helene Elliott of the Los Angeles Times:
He will earn $975,000 in the 2011-12 season and $1.525 million in 2012-13. The average annual value for salary cap hit calculation is $1.25 million.
Bernier is starting the final year of his entry-level deal, which will pay him $765,000 and carries a salary cap hit of $843,333.
The 22-year old Bernier appeared in three games for the Kings last season, winning all three, with a 1.30 goals against average. He started 57 games for the Manchester Monarchs of the AHL last season, going 30-21-6 with a 2.03 goals against average. He won the AHL Goaltender of the Year award last season.
Bernier beat out Erik Ersberg for the backup goaltender job behind Jonathan Quick, and today Ersberg, along with left wing Rich Clune, were placed on waivers, per TSN. Clune and Ersberg have until Tuesday morning to clear waivers.
In addition, the Kings announced that right wing John Zeiler was reassigned to Manchester.
The Kings open their regular season Saturday in Vancouver against the Canucks.
For more Kings news and information, be sure to read the SB Nation blog Jewels From The Crown.