Trade Rumors and Free Agent TalkTrade rumors, transactions, and free agent talk. Rumors must contain the word RUMOR in post title. Proposals must contain the word PROPOSAL in post title.
Detroit not have anyone else they want to bring up that might provide more than him? I guess Detroit does stay loyal to many of its vets, though, so it is consistent with their team philosophy.
In terms of what Bertuzzi brings to the team? No, Detroit doesnt have any big, gritty, net front players in their system. They have a bunch of skill guys in their system, which probably means Hudler will not be resigned. Bertuzzis game becomes even more important with Holmstrom, likely, retiring.
Two years with his slipping production & age? Bit odd.
Huh? His production in Detroit has been consistent. He is on pace for 45 points and 19 goals, which is about what he has had every year he has been here. For $2.2 it is more than worth it.
Nice cap hit and term for a big man who's still a solid top 6 winger. He even plays pretty good d now. I feel like he could get 2 years at $3 mil per year on the open market, so $2.2 mil per year is IMO a nice hometown discount.
Re: Bert vs. Holmstrom, I personally think Bertuzzi is a LOT better at this point in their respective careers. Holmstrom looks pretty much done out there, while Bert seems to have plenty of juice left.
I'm a bit surprised that they gave him 2 years, given his age...I would have thought it would be year-to-year. It must be those intangibles in the locker room that make him valuable. I'd be a bit apprehensive since his deal is O-35, but at least it's only 2 years.
As a Wings fan I would rather have liked to see a 1 year deal but Bertuzzi hasn't showed any sign of slowing down and has been able to put 45+ points, 3 straight seasons. Good signing.
love the deal. even though his numbers will never be as big as his vancouver days, he has other important attributes. strong on the puck, great vision, excellent in shootouts, and he is no longer a liability defensively. really and truly, i'd say under Babcock his 2-way play is actually becoming a strength of his.
$2.2M for a guy who is a great locker room presence, a 40-pt complementary top line piece who meshes well with our superstars, and has developed into a bona fide shootout specialist.
This is an excellent signing. Anybody worried about age probably hasn't watched a lot of Bertuzzi this year. His wheels are as good as they've been in 5+ years and he looks right at home alongside Dats and Mule.
