Does Todd Bertuzzi deserve another deal?
by Ryan Weiss on Jun 6, 2010 12:24 PM CDT
in Opinion
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PrintWith their top two off season priorities now on the back burner, the Detroit Red Wings have started to focus on signing their second tier of free agents. By signing Nicklas Lidstrom and Tomas Holmstrom to deals last week, the Wings are now turning their attention to another veteran: Todd Bertuzzi.
Bertuzzi has stirred debate amongst Wings fans ever since he first arrived here back in 2006. Back then, Bertuzzi was fresh off the Steve Moore incident and many wondered if having him on the roster put the integrity of the team at risk. Bert's first stint in Motown was a short one, lasting a combined 24 games (8 regular season, 16 playoffs), tallying a combined five goals and six assists.
After an early playoff exit, Bertuzzi was unsurprisingly let go. He's bounced around the league ever since, which have included stints in Anaheim and Calgary. Now after a semi-successful return to the Wings, Bertuzzi is once again a free agent with an uncertain future. Detroit wants him back, but only has a certain amount of cap space available for him.
Bertuzzi has said he will re-sign with Detroit or retire. The question has become how badly he wants to keep playing.
Much like his previous time here, many Detroit fans were split when the Wings signed Bertuzzi last off season to a $1.5 million, one-year deal. After contributing 44 points in the regular season and 11 in the playoffs, it seems that opinion about Bertuzzi has shifted in his favor. He's won over many fans with his hard work ethic, and willingness to be a secondary "Holmstrom" in front of the opposing goaltender. In an injury plagued season, he was just one of three Red Wings to play all 82 games.
He still has his detractors, however. Bertuzzi has a bad habit of taking untimely penalties, one of which cost the Red Wings a game back when they were fighting for playoff position. Even worse, it seems half the penalties he has taken have been reputation calls. He'll make blind passes to no one at times, and isn't exactly the best skater on the team.
But then again, every once in awhile, he'll do this:
There's no doubt that Bertuzzi can contribute to this team. When put on one of the top two lines, he's definitely one of the Wings' better producers. But Bertuzzi's stats may suffer next season with the return of Jiri Hudler, who is certainly going to garner a spot on one of the top two lines. That could mean Bertuzzi would be pushed down to the third line, a spot where he has struggled to produce.
General Manager Ken Holland finds himself in a tough spot here. Holland wants him back, but with Bertuzzi pondering retirement he may talk him into it if he goes too low with his offer. Then again, he can't spend too much or else he won't have enough money to re-sign other free agents like Darren Helm, Justin Abdelkader, Drew Miller and Patrick Eaves.
The best option for Detroit is to offer a contract in the same neighborhood of the $1.5 million range that Bertuzzi made this year, likely a little less than that. At 35, the biggest thing Bertuzzi wants is stability, so if the Wings offer him a two-year, $2.5-$2.8 million deal he might be inclined to take it. It's a slight paycut, but he'll be hard-pressed to find better offers on the open market.
No matter what happens, it will most likely start another debate amongst Wings fans about Bertuzzi's role on this team. Some will argue he doesn't fit the system, will others will say that he brings a much-needed physical presence. The only thing we can hope for at this point is that this eventually works out---for Bertuzzi and the Red Wings.
UPDATE: There is now a poll attached to voice your opinion.
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It's a tough call.
When they announced the Bertuzzi signing last year, I was really excited to see what he would do here.
And as far as I’m concerned he was amazing in several aspects that just don’t get enough, the first of course being his adaptability.
Upon arriving here, he was playing old Bertuzzi hockey, which was try to start crap, little back checking, and trying to do too much with the puck, and not having the skills to do it.
Not even two weeks into the season, Bertuzzi was already changing. He was defensively responsible, he was using his body (a bit, not enough, but a bit) and was trying. That was plain as day. And to me, that speaks volumes.
Last year in Calgary, he played with little heart. In Anaheim, he was barely noticeable. In Florida, well, he was injured, and since that Steve Moore thing, he’s lost “his” game. That power forward, I’ll-Run-You-If-You-Get-In-My-Way attitude that was terrifying in the early 2000’s. It looked like he was a man who wanted to play, but he just didn’t know how.
Flash forward to this season, and the guy has a purpose again. Babcock and crew have a clear plan, and Bertuzzi bought in. Completely. He even mortgaged his house on this plan, that’s how much he believes in the Red Wings system.
There will always be the stupid penalties,both due to reputation, and because it really is hard to teach an old dog new tricks. And the spin-o-rama BS passes, those will be there.
But, what’s also there, as far as I can tell, is a burning desire to not only compete, but to win, and to do whatever you have to to do it. The net-front presence? That’s new. The responsible, two-way forward? That’s new.
My point is, while Bertuzzi may not be as flashy as Helm, or as exciting as Abdelkader, he’s a necessary piece to the puzzle. He does everything you ask of him. He’s a coach’s dream: a guy who will do whatever role you need him to do, just because he wants to be here.
If the price is right, I say sign him to a deal that allows him to finish his career here. Not since Vancouver has the guy felt more at home, and Holland wanted to keep him after 2007, it’s just that Brian Burke threw piles and piles of money at him, and that essentially spelled the end of his time here.
Bertuzzi’s been on the Wings’ braintrust radar forever, whether us fans like it or not. And I absolutely see him coming back to finish his career, a possibility that I have absolutely no problem with.
Whew. Sorry for the long post.
by eight_legged_freaks on Jun 6, 2010 1:05 PM CDT reply actions
At the beginning of the season
I would have said absolutely not. But now, I’m not so sure. I was one of those people at the start of the season with the pitchforks and shovels outraged that Bert was on the team. But now that I’ve seen he can contribute when playing with top tier players, there may be a place for him after all.
If he’s willing to stand in front of the net like Homer is night after night, he could become a great asset, as long as he doesn’t make mistakes defensively and works hard in the offensive zone. He’s gotta cut down on the penalties and turnovers in the offensive zone though
Back off man, I'm a scientist
Alex Frolov anyone?
Forget about bertuzzi and lilja, kindl can take liljas place next year and not signing both will free up cap room
Frolov is not desired in my book. He’s earned a rep for being lazy and overpaid, sign Afenogenov if anything.
by Casey Richey on Jun 7, 2010 12:12 PM CDT up reply actions
No.
But I honestly admit that is fully irrational and based on no logic whatsoever. 44 could be an amazing value and an effective player and a big help to the Wings and I would still say no.
"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
Science nerd and proud of it!
I like Frolov fine
I would like 44 off the Red Wings entirely. I didn’t like signing him the first time, didn’t like signing him this time, and do not like the idea of signing him for any longer. I do not want that human in the uniform of my favorite team at all.
Frolov I like, but I’m not sure that the Wings can afford him – and I don’t know much about him, as I don’t follow the Kings that closely. For all I know he’d be a poor fit on Detroit.
Heck, if it meant 44 was off the team I’d be in favor of hiring a trained baboon to skate on the third line. :)
(Cap hit would certainly be lower, but it might be hard to get skates that fit properly.)
"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
Science nerd and proud of it!
Why? Because of the Steve Moore thing?
You mean the thing that happens every game, where someone tried to goon it up, and this time it just got out of hand?
As in, he was trying to stand up for his captain, and then ended up, through the help of all those idiots who piled on to him, ending a career, and has had to deal with almost killing someone?
If you can’t forgive a guy who, very clearly, will never forgive himself for what happened, and who prior to, and after, has never exhibited anything close to that ever again, then well, there’s just nothing to say other than this:
Marty McSorley used his stick as a weapon and attempted to seriously injure someone. That injury didn’t happen, so the attack is downgraded from “worst ever” to “very bad”.
Bertuzzi punches a guy after the whistle (see: McCarty, Boogard, heck, even Crosby and Ovechkin), only this time, the injury is there. Boom, villain for life.
Lay off the guy. He plays hard, he loves this team, and if Holland is willing to give him a second chance, then what right do I or anyone else have to say anything about it.
by eight_legged_freaks on Jun 6, 2010 8:23 PM CDT up reply actions
I didn't like him long before that
I have never liked him much as a player. It has nothing to do with the Steve Moore incident – I just don’t like him as a hockey player. With the exception of this past year, he’s been injured, ineffective, and teams have been better after he left than they were with him. Sure he was healthy and effective, but I cannot see that continuing. the pounding is catching up to him. I can’t see him being as effective next year (or the next two years) as he was this year, and I would rather the team spend the money on someone who might be more likely to be healthy and able to contribute a few more games.
I personally think he should have been suspended a lot longer after he broke Moore’s neck, but that was the NHL’s call and they screwed up – he did what he had to in order to get back into hockey, paid the punishment set for him, and has stayed out of trouble ever since. I have no arguments with that. Besides, he’ll wind up handing over a chunk of his earnings to Moore in about 25 years when the civil case is finally over anyway.
But he will always get reputation penalty calls against him, and put the team at a disadvantage, and that will make it harder to win – through no fault of his own, but I still don’t want any more frivolous penalties called on Detroit than already are. The team already has one reputation-penalty-magnet in Holmstrom, and I don’t want another one, too. :(
I think it’s pushing luck to figure that his one healthy season since the lockout is indicative of what he can do. I think it was an aberration and won’t happen again.
"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
Science nerd and proud of it!
He just had his best playoffs ever.
He was a huge part of our second line. I am still not sold on the idea of putting our resident elf Hudler on a second line that would feature Filppula and Zetterberg. Against the bigger teams in the West like Phoenix, Vancouver, etc. they are going to get manhandled.
Bertuzzi gave us a little size, some net front presence, and a big body that helped to distract the opposing defensemen with his new-found ability to stand in front of the net.
Is he a great player? No, but he’s good. He will never ever be as downright amazing as he was in the early 2000’s, but he is willing to play at any position.
I don’t think he’ll stay healthy, a guy who plays the way he plays never is. But in both his stays here in Detroit, he’s been a great complimentary piece.
We have enough superstars, and I would choose Bertuzzi over the uncoachable Frolov any day.
by eight_legged_freaks on Jun 7, 2010 8:57 AM CDT up reply actions
No "meh, whatever" option?
I think that’s about it. He’s inconsistent; when he is scoring he’s very valuable, but most of the time he’s just a (surprise, defensively responsible) fourth liner playing on a top line. If he takes his current salary or less, keep him. Otherwise, find someone else.
Yes
When the Wings were banged up, Bertuzzi went on a hot streak and I strongly believe if it weren’t for Bertuzzi, the season would have been 12 games shorter. I know the Wings didn’t get as far in the playoffs as we all had hoped but at least the playoff streak continues. By the way, how bout that Ville Leino…..
Although Mr. Petrella
would kill me, I wouldn’t be fully opposed to signing Big Bert again. I think the guys on the team like him and i dont think they’re opposed too. I think he’ll be back. Holland likes him and really, for his price, he’s pretty productive.
I would like him back on a one-year deal
He was good this year, but I think the Wings would be smart to go on a year-to-year basis with Bert.
My two favorite teams are the Tigers and Brewers. Drunk tigers. That sounds about right.
Me in 140 characters
yes
At the right price Bertuzzi adds depth and experience. At 2-3 yrs. around the 1.1-1.2 mil range he would be a valuable asset. Leave him on the 2nd line and build a third line around Hudler and the young guns coming up. With Maltby gone and Draper going you need guys in this price range that can compete.
Kinda surprised this is fairly lopsided
I thought the poll would be more evenly split. Guess I was right about Bert winning over the fanbase?
Back off man, I'm a scientist
Winging It In Motown
and SB Nation Detroit --SB Nation's regional hub for all your Detroit sporting needs
Re-sign Bert..
..but for no more than $1.4M/year.
And yes, he won me over with 82 games played and 44 regular season points – all for a salary of $1.5M. That’s better stats than a lot of other people who get paid more than that in the NHL.
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