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Bertuzzi Signs with Red Wings

Will His Second Stint Go Better Than His First One?

Aug 20, 2009 Tom Mitsos

Todd Bertuzzi signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract on Tuesday. However, is Bertuzzi the answer to the Red Wings' major losses?

There is no doubt Bertuzzi is a forced to be reckoned with when he’s on the ice. The 6-foot-3, 245-pound forward will flatten you if you’re anywhere near the puck.

However, the Detroit Red Wings already had Bertuzzi, and he only played in eight games. According to ESPN.com, Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said Bertuzzi is in much better shape now than he was the last time he was with the Red Wings.

Holland is no doubt one of, if not the best general manager in hockey. He has drafted players like Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk in the seventh and sixth round respectively and turned them into all-star players. This time however, it appears that he has dropped the “puck” with the signing of Bertuzzi.

Bertuzzi’s Controversial Actions

Anyone who watches hockey knows Bertuzzi is not the most-liked guy in the NHL. In 2004, while playing for Vancouver, Bertuzzi sucker-punched Colorado’s Steve Moore in the head. Bertuzzi’s vicious attack ended Moore’s career.

Bertuzzi was charged with assault, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to probation and community service. He also served a 17-month suspension from the NHL. He has no doubt paid his debt to society.

However, who’s to say that Bertuzzi will not strike again? It seems plausible that a 17-month suspension, probation and community service would be enough to straighten anybody out. On the other hand, it only takes one second to completely lose control and make a regrettable decision.

While many of the Red Wings will have already been teammates of Bertuzzi’s, there will be a few who have never played with him before. It can be hard for a person to trust someone like Bertuzzi. He will need to prove to his teammates that he has indeed changed.

Bertuzzi’s Diminishing Skill

Not only is Bertuzzi a controversial player, but his skills as a hockey player are getting worse every year. Bertuzzi hasn’t had a 20-goal season since 2005-2006. This has mainly been due to injuries and surgery, but it doesn’t help that he isn’t getting any younger.

Bertuzzi will turn 35 in February. He is reaching the end of his playing career. It seems unlikely that Bertuzzi will have any significant impact for the Red Wings this year.

The Red Wings loss some offense in Marian Hossa, Jiri Hudler, Mikael Samuelsson and Tomas Kopecky this offseason. Holland better hope that Ville Leino, Darren Helm and Justin Abdelkader step up the scoring because it is unlikely that Bertuzzi will fill the void.

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