This offseason, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ biggest add was arguably a one-year, $5.5MM deal for top-six winger Tyler Bertuzzi. However, it now appears both sides wanted a longer-term deal than what actually came to fruition, per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman on Sportsnet 590. “I’m of the belief that Toronto wanted to sign Bertuzzi longer and I think Bertuzzi wanted to sign longer. But, they just didn’t have the ability to do it now.”
Limited to 50 games last season thanks to hand and wrist injuries that cost him most of the first half of the campaign, Bertuzzi is widely expected to slide into a first-line role in Toronto alongside Auston Matthews, replacing the complementary role filled by Michael Bunting during the last two seasons. The latter departed for the Carolina Hurricanes in free agency two months ago.
Bertuzzi, 28, notched just eight goals last season but looked revitalized after a deadline deal from the Detroit Red Wings to the Boston Bruins, recording four goals and 16 points in 21 games down the stretch of the regular season and leading the team in playoff scoring with five goals and ten points in seven games. His blend of skill and physicality was one new GM Brad Treliving was clearly looking for this summer, also signing Max Domi to a one-year deal to play a bit lower in the lineup.
Even if the two sides could fit a long-term deal under the cap, a one-year pact was likely the wiser choice. Bertuzzi hasn’t been healthy for a full season since 2019-20, and the Leafs don’t exactly have money to throw around on players who could be coming in and out of the lineup with short-term injuries on a frequent basis. The team is still millions of dollars over the $83.5MM upper limit for 2023-24, even with Matt Murray and Jake Muzzin stashed on long-term injured reserve.
But if Bertuzzi has a strong season and stays healthy, it is worth examining what a potential extension could look like. He’s eligible to sign one as soon as January 1, 2024, but unless the Leafs anticipate getting a better deal by signing him early, they’ll likely wait until the end of the season to work out a deal. It’s fair to guess that with the cap expected to increase to $87.5MM in 2024-25, a mid-term (four to six years) Bertuzzi extension likely starts with a six. Is that something Toronto can reasonably make work with a new deal needed for William Nylander by next summer and another for Mitch Marner by July 2025?
Bertuzzi dosen’t have a resume that screams longterm deal, He’s on a prove it deal which is the right call, He’s one of the most overrated players in the league statistically and he can’t stay healthy. Bertuzzi will be a headache this upcoming season for Toronto.
You’re a headache for most of us here
He’s cotrect here though. And you should always play the argument, not the man. That’s a weak move.
Cotrect?
Have a look at what key is next to the t (on the left). I believe in you – you’ll figure it out :-)
That’s all you have, Clearly you know I’m right, Have a nice long winter watching the the Leafs!!!!!!!
I don’t know if wilf been studying or what but his opinions are improving. Originally he made no sense, now he gets one right here and there, so I’m not sure. But then again even a blind squirrel finds a nut here and there
Change your approach, realize that Wilf is providing an excellent parody account, and enjoy the humor.
Bertuzzi could be one heck of a pickup, first off he had a good playoffs with the Bruins. But he’s had trouble staying healthy lately and how does he fit in. So a one year deal is good for all involved and if thing’s are working out they can always sign him longer after January 1st. Knies is in a similar situation as far as having a good playoffs,but now it’s an 82 game season and how well will he fair. I’m sure hoping that Bertuzzi and Domi and Knies,all turn out to be what we are expecting. The one true question mark is Klingberg, which Klingberg show’s up this season. The one that resembles what he brought to Dallas or the one on the Duck’s. Reaves was brought in more so because he has the reputation of getting the locker room together and let’s be honest his presence will be felt on the ice either with a well placed hit or just an old fashion beatdown. Up front the lineup looks pretty good it’s this backend that worries me as it stands today. Just hoping that Tre can improve this backend as much as he did for top six, if he can get that done then I’ll believe that this team is a true contender but until then I’m expecting much of the same, probably good enough to get into the playoffs but not much staying power due to the D. Cheerz
Agreed with every point you made :) feel the same way, the blue line scares me. Feel like it’s been the weak point for years. We always have a great offense but we are never able to shut down the other teams best forwards.
Some team that gives him a long term deal will ultimately get burned. He will not stay healthy and backs that have had major surgery do not hold up well to NHL hockey over time. He will eventually be an LTIR guy and some team will spend a lot of money for Bertuzzi to be on a beach somewhere sipping Molson.