Three Teams Linked to Tyler Bertuzzi Ahead of the Trade Deadline

With the NHL Trade Deadline less than three weeks away, teams are increasing their efforts to acquire players to help their group contend in April. On Hockey Night in Canada’s edition of ’32 Thoughts’, Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek gave an update on pending unrestricted free agent Tyler Bertuzzi.

“He’s on an expiring deal, the; there some brief extension talks earlier on this season that didn’t go anywhere, nothing was serious,” Marek said Saturday night.

“There’s a few teams that have been attached to this name, the Dallas Stars. We all know the relationship between Jim Nill and Steve Yzerman. We suspect that Dallas is looking for someone to play full-time with Tyler Seguin. Don’t be surprised if they step up their efforts to bring Tyler Bertuzzi in. I believe Detroit is asking for something substantial. Edmonton has had some interest in Tyler Bertuzzi and, I believe, the Tampa Bay Lightning as well.”

Heading into the 2022-23 season, expectations were high for Bertuzzi as he was coming off of a breakout season that saw him score at nearly a point-per-game pace and finish with 30 goals in only 68 games. 

After suffering two hand injuries and struggling to find consistency over his limited campaign, Bertuzzi is beginning to regain form, scoring a goal and adding an assist this past week. In 20 games this season, Bertuzzi has two goals and five assists.

Bertuzzi is in the final year of his contract and carries a cap hit of $4.75 million, and if a move were to happen with any of these three teams, Detroit would likely have to retain salary on the deal or take a contract back.