Tag: Tyler Bertuzzi

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What will the Detroit Red Wings do with Tyler Bertuzzi

Tyler Bertuzzi is fresh off his best NHL season. Bertuzzi scored 30 goals, with 32 assists and 62 points, all career highs. He is set to be a restricted free agent. There is one small thing though, Tyler Bertuzzi is worth a lot, not just to the Red Wings but other teams would like his services as well. For the rebuilding Red Wings and general manager Steve Yzerman this is where things could get interesting.

Tyler Bertuzzi is a gritty player who’s teammates love. He plays with an edge to his game. At 27 years old how and does he project in the Red Wings future? Bertuzzi has said he wants to stay in Detroit. Steve Yzerman said he wants to sign him, but…..

If you remember, Anthony Mantha said the same thing about wanting to stay in Detroit and Yzerman said he wanted him. Mantha signed an extension and was traded. In a rebuild the only sure thing is gaining assets.

The toothless Toronto Maple Leafs made yet another first round exit from the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Needing toughness and having already talked to Detroit about Bertuzzi, this summer perhaps talks will heat up again. Or another team will come calling.

ST. LOUIS, MO – JANUARY 15: Toronto defenseman Timothy Lijegren (37) passes the puck during a NHL game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the St. Louis Blues on January 15, 2022, at Enterprise Center, St. Louis, MO. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images),

Toronto is in serious salary cap trouble. Perhaps, they make an offer and Yzerman counters the offer by offering to take one of the Maple Leafs big contracts and say young defensive player Timothy Lijegren. This would be a fair deal. Toronto would shed some money for the cap and get a player that would bring toughness to the lineup. While Detroit would get a young defensive player to help the blue line.

Personally I feel that given his age and the fact he could help the Red Wings rebuild by being traded, it makes more sense to deal Bertuzzi and push the rebuild along a bit quicker.

This is going to be year four, for Yzerman as Red Wings GM. The Red Wings need to start to show improvement in the win column. Yzerman’s job is not in jeopardy nor should it be. The rebuild should have started years ago. Yzerman had to come in and clean up the mess which has taken time.

DETROIT, MI – APRIL 12: Tyler Bertuzzi (59) of the Detroit Red Wings turns to follows the play against the Ottawa Senators during the third period of an NHL game at Little Caesars Arena on April 12, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. Ottawa defeated Detroit 4-1. (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images)

Tyler Bertuzzi and his fate will be one thing to watch in the coming days leading up to the 2022 NHL Draft.

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Rumor: The Detroit Red Wings could trade two young forwards

Rumors are just that, rumors. However, this seems to be one that is gaining momentum. It is widely being speculated that Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman could move two of the teams young forwards. Anthony Mantha and Tyler Bertuzzi. While this may come as a shock to many, it should not. The Red Wings who will have much needed salary cap space would benefit further if they move Mantha or Bertuzzi or both.

First let me say that if Steve Yzerman moves Anthony Mantha and/or Tyler Bertuzzi he would have to be blown away by an offer. Both Mantha and Bertuzzi are on contracts that other teams would find attractive so money would not be an issue.

DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 17: Steve Yzerman of the Detroit Red Wings poses for his official headshot for the 2019-2020 season at Little Caesars Arena on September 17, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images)

The real question is should Yzerman move the players at all? It seems like of the two players Mantha would not be moved due to his skill set. Yet that is exactly why other teams would line up for his services IF he is put on the trading block.

Tyler Bertuzzi, is a gritty players and has offensive scoring punch to go with his two-way play. Bertuzzi would be an easy trade as well. Teams would also line up for his service.

But as this rumor has gained traction what would it mean for the Red Wings? First and foremost it would be a very smart move for Yzerman if he does trade them. It would go a long way in speeding up the Red Wings rebuild. Both players would net a big returns.

This is what a rebuild looks like. Tough decisions need to be made. Steve Yzerman has done the tough decision part before when he took over as GM of the Tampa Bay Lightning. This would be nothing new for the seasoned Yzerman.

DETROIT – MAY 11: An octopus hangs above the ice before game one of the 2007 Western Conference finals between the Anaheim Ducks and the Detroit Red Wings on May 11, 2007 at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Dave Sandford/Getty Images)

Red Wings fans need to understand that while yes Anthony Mantha and Tyler Bertuzzi are very good players. Their real value to the organization may be in the form of a trade.

 

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Tyler Bertuzzi is set to take off for the Detroit Red Wings

Embed from Getty Images During the 2019- COVID-19 shortened NHL season Tyler Bertuzzi did a thing. Bertuzzi  led the Detroit Red Wings in goals and amassed a career high in assists and points. Bertuzzi has emerged as a rebuilding block and a player who has done nothing but improve every year of his professional career.

March 12, 2020 the day the NHL shutdown due to COVID-19, Tyler Bertuzzi had 21 goals and 27 assists in 71 games along with 48 points good for second place on the team next to Dylan Larkin (53), matching his goal output from 2018-19, which was Bertuzzi’s first full NHL season.

Tyler Bertuzzi paid his dues in a little over two years in the minors with the Grand Rapids Griffins. Bertuzzi was named playoff MVP in the Griffins 2017 Calder Cup championship.

A four game stretch was the longest Tyler Bertuzzi would go without a point in 2019. When the Red Wings Christmas break roll around,  Bertuzzi was Detroit’s best player in the first half, which saw him accumulate 14 goals and 16 assists in 38 games.

Tyler Bertuzzi is a smart player, he also enjoys getting under the skin of opponent’s. Bertuzzi is a restricted free agent who has been right around 50 points in both of his seasons in Detroit. That should help his cause in a new contract.

Projections for next season (could be January if COVID-19 pushes the start of the season back) has Bertuzzi looking at 25 goals and around 55 points in an 82 game season.

Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman has said he is looking to improve the team and have some salary cap money freed up to begin to shape the Red Wings. If Yzerman can find a puck moving defenseman and a backup goalie that would greatly help.

The Red Wings need more forwards as well. If Yzerman can do the things he wants Tyler Bertuzzi could his the 30 goal mark. No matter how you slice it Tyler Bertuzzi is a very important player in Detroit both during the rebuilding stage and after.

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Detroit Red Wings Tyler Bertuzzi makes his first All-Star team

Embed from Getty Images Detroit Red Wings Tyler Bertuzzi is many things. To opposing teams, Bertuzzi is a pest who gets under the skin and smiles while being annoying. To his Red Wings teammates he is simply known as “Bert.” The front tooth missing almost always smiling, almost always joking teammate. To the Detroit Red Wings Tyler Bertuzzi is now an NHL All-Star.

When the NHL announced the player selections Monday afternoon, Tyler Bertuzzi heard his name called. He nor anyone who follows the Red Wings or NHL hockey should have been surprised.

Bertuzzi leads the Detroit hockey team with 14 goals and 16 assists with 30 points, six points ahead of both Dylan Larkin and Anthony Mantha. Mantha would have made the All-Star team is he had not suffered a rib cage injury.

The NHL All-Star rosters are voted on by the fans. Dylan Larkin has been singing Bertuzzi’s praise for a while now. “I’ve said it before, he’s just a hockey player. He battles, he plays hard, blocks shots and scores goals. Bert is not afraid to jump into battles.” Larkin told reporters.

Bertuzzi has a great sense of humor as well. Last season in a game where Anthony Mantha broke his hand in a fight defending Larkin, Mantha skated to the bench sat down next to Bertuzzi took his glove off to reveal a swelling hand and asked Tyler if he thought it was broken. “How should I know, I’m not a *beeping* doctor”, Bertuzzi told him. Leading Mantha to breakout in laughter.

Bertuzzi is a bundle of sheer grit and determination. He has elevated his game and the game of his teammates everywhere he has played. The fact “Bert” is an All-Star is not surprising to anyone in the Red Wings organization or the Wings fan base. As Bertuzzi is a HUGE fan favorite.

Tyler Bertuzzi also has another big fan, Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman who smiles whenever Bertuzzi’s name is brought up. Why? Because Tyler Bertuzzi is a big part of the Detroit Red Wings future.

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Detroit Red Wings: The importance of Tyler Bertuzzi

Embed from Getty Images As the Detroit Red Wings continue to sort out players who will be on the roster when the rebuild reaches it’s end, one player that is sure to be there is Tyler Bertuzzi. Last season Bertuzzi (or Bert as he is known to teammates, coach’s and fans) became the first Detroit Red Wing player ever to record four consecutive three-point games.

Tyler Bertuzzi isn’t flashy. He is not the fastest, or strongest, or quickest or flashiest player on the ice. That is perfectly fine with the Detroit Red Wings organization. What Bertuzzi is, is a hockey player, who does the hard work and gets results.

2018-19 stats: 73 games, 21 goals, 26 assists, 47 points, plus-11 rating, 36 penalty minutes, put Bertuzzi on the map. It gets better for the young forward, named NHL’s second star of week on April 1 after tallying 10 points three goals, seven assists in four games. Career highs in goals, assists and points. … First career hat trick Jan. 12 at Minnesota in 100th career game.  Six power-play points three goals, three assists.  Tied for team lead with four game-winning goals. Tyler Bertuzzi led the  team in plus-minus rating plus-11 at home, even on road. Bertuzzi also led the team in shooting percentage 16.0%. Showing some defensive skill Tyler was third on team in takeaways 34.  winning 33%  of faceoffs 10-of-30. Showing he is not afraid to get under opposing teams skin, Bertuzzi was suspended two games Dec. 4-6 for punching Colorado’s Matt Calvert from bench. Tyler missed seven games Feb. 1-14 due to a concussion.

Those are working mans numbers. Make no mistake it was Bertuzzi’s ability to play the same type of hard working game every night that made Bertuzzi’s season so successful. Tyler Bertuzzi’s first full NHL season was a huge success. Bertuzzi, showed he can be an offensive threat in addition to providing grit, physicality and abrasiveness. He has a knack for being around the puck and he goes to the hard areas with reckless abandon , in the corners and in front of the net, making him an ideal complement on the top line with Dylan Larkin and Anthony Mantha.

Tyler Bertuzzi has flashed his worth and is they type of player the Detroit Red Wings need going forward.

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Detroit Red Wings Tyler Bertuzzi has a rare combination of grit and speed

Embed from Getty Images In a tough rebuilding season. One that has seen the Detroit Red Wings bottom out. The Red Wings young core has grown and taken big steps forward. One of those players has really shined. Tyler Bertuzzi.

Tyler Bertuzzi  is a bit of a throwback, in appearance with the missing teeth and the long hair. Do no let that fool you Tyler has absolutely blossomed this season for a Detroit hockey team that has struggled.

Bertuzzi plays with a lot of grit. He is not afraid to irritate opposing teams. His speed sets him apart. Yet the Red Wings are a much better team when Tyler is on the first line with Dylan Larkin and Anthony Mantha.

Bertuzzi wasn’t projected as a high-scorer when the Red Wings selected him in the second round, 58th overall, in 2013. That was a false projection. Through 58 games played Tyler has 16 goals and 33 points to go with 17 assists. He has found a home in front of the net. Tyler has been solid on the power play as well.

What really stands out about Tyler Bertuzzi is he is big on the puck, he has good  hands, he’s got the shot, He is not the most flashy player. Yet “Bert” as he known by his teammates makes the Detroit Red Wings a better more dangerous team.

One of his biggest attributes is Bertuzzi is not afraid to  play physical on the wall and in the corners or on the blue line. He is always looking for ways to get the puck. He also is always looking for someone to knock out of the way.

Tyler has shown  he can make great decisions with the puck. Something that takes young players a while to pick up on. What has helped the Red Wings now and will help in the future is Bertuzzi has the versatility to play on a top line while he can also play on the grind line.

Tyler Bertuzzi has become a fan favorite. He has endeared himself to his teammates and shown that he is a valuable player who will be key to the next wave of Detroit Red Wings playoff hockey. Which is coming soon.