It is never too early to look into the near future. Summer’s in full swing, and teams are planning for next season. Some teams have revamped their front offices, while others have signed contract extensions. A buzz surrounds one player’s contract, but today we focus on a different player. The latest rumours surrounding a Tyler Bertuzzi contract.
Boston Exploring Options To Keep Tyler Bertuzzi
Rumour: Elliotte Friedman discusses that Boston will explore options to keep Bertuzzi.
Don Sweeney was a busy man at the trade deadline. He went on to make a big splash for Dmitry Orlov and Garnet Hathaway. In addition, the next big splash was trading for Tyler Bertuzzi. The injury sustained by Taylor Hall helped Sweeney bring in reinforcements. After failing to negotiate a new deal with the Detroit Red Wings, Steve Yzerman opted to trade the forward. But now, with the season finished, a Tyler Bertuzzi contract is needed. How can Sweeney manage to do this?
The Options For Keeping Bertuzzi
The bonus overages for Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci carry over into this season. Their salary cap situation is tight. Money will need to be shipped out in order to make a new deal work. Players will higher cap hits such as Linus Ullmark, Taylor Hall, and Charlie Coyle could be trade bait. In addition, parting ways with a defenseman such as Derek Forbort or Matt Grzelcyk could help. Sweeney has the likely option of buying out the contract of Mike Reilly. Bertuzzi is coming off a contract making $4.75 million per season. He will be due a significant raise on this next deal.
Why Bertuzzi Is Worth The Raise
A Tyler Bertuzzi contract is worth it for the Boston Bruins. When healthy, this is a player who has put up 60+ points in multiple seasons. With the future of Bergeron and Krejci uncertain, Bertuzzi would be a great fit. A new wave and era of Bruins hockey is looming. Bertuzzi is 28 years old and fits the mould for the next core group. In addition, Bertuzzi was good as a Bruin. Overall, Bertuzzi finished with 30 points in 50 games. Injuries plagued him earlier in the year. But he made his mark in his first taste of playoff action.
Bertuzzi went on to lead the Bruins in points (10) and tied for first in goals (5). In addition, his 3.1 expected goals were second behind superstar winger David Pastrnak. Bertuzzi plays a hard-nosed game and fits being in Boston. He wins puck battles along the boards, is a key playmaker, and is physical. Bertuzzi can play up and down the lineup. The Bruins fans loved him and he enjoyed his time in Boston. It will be something to monitor as the summer goes on.
Main Photo: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
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