Moving On: Tyler Bertuzzi Makes Free Agent Decision

His time with the Toronto Maple Leafs lasted one season, and now Tyler Bertuzzi will take his veteran talents to the rebuilding Chicago Blackhawks, on a four-year deal, worth more, at $5.5 million annually, than the Leafs were willing to pay.

Bertuzzi’s Original Six Tour continues pic.twitter.com/4FB8J0hlZP
— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) July 1, 2024

This will be Bertuzzi's fourth NHL team, and he's now hit 4 of the Original 6 teams, following his 6½ years with the Detroit Red Wings, and one-year stops with the Boston Bruins and then Toronto.

The Blackhawks had been determined to add established veterans to their very young team for the coming season, to help surround Connor Bedard & Co. with more guile and know-how to get to the next level and expedite their rebuild process.

After a slow start to the 2023-24 season, Bertuzzi finished strong, and totalled 21 goals (his fourth 20+ goal season) and 43 points in 80 games, while playing 16 minutes a night, mainly in the middle-six, with occasional time on the top line in Toronto.