Report: Chicago Blackhawks Sign Tyler Bertuzzi to 4-year contract – Hockey Writers – Blackhawks Transactions

The Chicago Blackhawks have signed forward Tyler Bertuzzi to a four-year contract worth $5.5 million per season according to a report from Frank Seravalli of the Daily Faceoff. This is his fourth new club since the start of his 2022-23 campaign.

The 29-year-old forward’s season with the Toronto Maple Leafs didn’t go as well as general manager Brad Treliving had hoped, but Bertuzzi started to improve late in the season. Consistency bothered him, but a fresh start could do wonders for the Sudbury, Ontario native.

Power to Strike Forward

Bertuzzi is not necessarily the most physically imposing player but he is certainly a very big body. He stands at 6-foot-2 and weighs 201 lbs, as a result, he can bring a physical element to his game. That being said, he doesn’t use his frame as often as he should. He was eighth on the Maple Leafs in hits last season with 98 but because of that, he’s being fair all things considered. He scored 21 penalties last season but drew 23 so he canceled them.

Offensively, the 2023-24 season was one of the worst in Bertuzzi’s career. He scored 21 goals and added 22 assists for 43 points in 80 games. While those numbers are respectable, they were a far cry from what we saw from him during the 2021-22 season with the Detroit Red Wings when he scored 30 goals and tallied 62 points in just 68 games.

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If a team gets that Bertuzzi, it will undoubtedly be a steal. If they get the player we saw in the Maple Leafs, he’s still a good player but he hasn’t changed.

Fits Chicago

The Blackhawks have a chance to get a point-per-game player if Betuzzi can return to his old ways, but they are more likely to get a 40-50 point player who can make a difference but not be consistent. He’s certainly a useful player who can step in, but relying on him as the key to the offense on a nightly basis can be dangerous.

Bertuzzi could be a great complementary piece to Connor Bedard over the next few seasons. When he’s really at his best, that’s exactly what he is. He’s not the brightest player by any stretch of the imagination, but he can help a young star blossom into a complete player and score more points. Indeed, this is an improvement over what he had in 2023-24.

The Blackhawks have made it no secret that they don’t plan on making the postseason in 2023-24, but this signing could be good for them. The upside is there, so taking this opportunity makes sense.