The Detroit Red Wings have re-signed restricted free agent forward Tyler Bertuzzi to a new contract. Bertuzzi took his contract negotiations to arbitration where he was awarded a one-year, $3.5 million contract.
Arbitrator awards Tyler Bertuzzi $3.5M
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) October 27, 2020
Red Wings Re-Sign Tyler Bertuzzi
Bertuzzi was one of the few bright spots in 2019-20. He set a new career-high in points with 48 in 71 games and scored 21 goals for a second consecutive season. His physical abilities were also on display to an extent with 71 hits. His scoring rate didn’t improve a great deal despite playing almost three more minutes per game compared to 2018-19, but one advanced stat definitely stands out. Bertuzzi’s Relative Corsi For exploded from 2.8 two seasons ago to 5.1 in the most recent. The figure was third on the team behind only fellow stars Dylan Larkin and Anthony Mantha. The chemistry between those three was a huge boost to team offence.
The Red Wings selected Bertuzzi in the second round of the 2013 Draft but he didn’t see full action until 2017-18. That was his first year with double-digit appearances. He scored seven goals and 24 points in 48 games. His possession numbers are slightly below-average for a player with his offensive output but he does so much on a Detroit team starved of talent.
What This Means for the Future
Bertuzzi is a lock for Detroit’s top-six going in 2020-21. He will probably skate next to Larkin and Mantha yet again as one of the league’s best young lines. Mantha is currently a restricted free agent but is expected to re-sign with the club. The trio was the only thing worth noting last year, but they need help for the coming year.
Detroit has been an active team this offseason. They have made a handful of signings that should net them a few more wins moving forward. The most notable are Vladislav Namestnikov and Thomas Greiss, but there is plenty more work to do before this team is a threat again.
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