Maple Leafs sign Bertuzzi to 1-year, $5.5M contract
The Toronto Maple Leafs have landed arguably the best remaining unrestricted free agent, signing winger Tyler Bertuzzi to a one-year contract worth $5.5 million, the team announced.
Bertuzzi is coming off a down season, as he recorded just eight goals and 22 assists in 50 regular-season contests split between the Detroit Red Wings and Boston Bruins. However, he was excellent in the postseason despite Boston's first-round exit, tallying five goals and five assists in seven games.
The 28-year-old enjoyed a career year in 2021-22 when he racked up 30 goals and 32 assists in 68 games with the Red Wings. His underlying numbers over the last three campaigns are strong offensively but poor defensively.
Bertuzzi brings an element of sandpaper to his game, as he racked up 18 hits during the playoffs. He's also known as a pest of sorts. For example, during Round 1 against the Florida Panthers, he stole Nick Cousins' stick and snapped it on the bench.
The Sudbury, Ontario, native is the nephew of former NHLer Todd Bertuzzi.
Bertuzzi will likely slot in at left wing on one of Toronto's top two lines centered by Auston Matthews and John Tavares. Tavares spent some time on the wing last season after Ryan O'Reilly was acquired at the trade deadline, but the Bertuzzi addition likely means the captain will move back to the middle on a full-time basis.
Toronto also added Max Domi later in the day.