Bertuzzi joins Blackhawks on 4-year deal

The Chicago Blackhawks signed free-agent forward Tyler Bertuzzi to a four-year contract with an average annual value of $5.5 million.

The Toronto Maple Leafs, who signed Bertuzzi to a one-year deal last summer, attempted to retain the 29-year-old, but he opted to walk.

Bertuzzi appeared in 80 games for the Maple Leafs in 2023-24 and managed 21 goals and 22 assists in a top-six role. He averaged just over 16 minutes per contest and added four points in seven postseason games as Toronto fell short against the Boston Bruins in Round 1.

The Blackhawks are one of the league's most flexible teams this signing period, entering the day with nearly $29 million in cap space, according to CapFriendly.

Chicago is seeking reinforcements to help accelerate its rebuild. The club finished 31st in the league standings last season after drafting phenom Connor Bedard first overall in 2023.

Bertuzzi's tallied 261 points in 406 career games split between the Detroit Red Wings, Bruins, and Leafs. He was a second-round pick of Detroit in 2013.