Insider Suggests Tyler Bertuzzi Becoming Trade Fodder for Blackhawks

Chicago Blackhawks forward Tyler Bertuzzi skates in pregame warmup

We haven't heard his name much at all on the rumor mill this year, but with the Chicago Blackhawks' recent tumble to the bottom of the standings, Tyler Bertuzzi is now starting to make the rounds. Insider Elliotte Friedman suggested on The Fan Hockey Show on Monday that the Hawks could look to solidify themselves in the running for a top draft pick in 2026, by trading off a high-producing veteran.

Chicago has lost six of their seven games since Connor Bedard went down to injury (and they weren't any hot shakes before that, either, going 4-14-1 since November 20th).

If this continues, look at the top of this draft and how good it is, and think about Chicago with another top young stud on that roster. It's tough for the Blackhawks fans, because the way it was going they were really excited... It sucks to feel that way right now, but... it could make them even more dangerous.

That's where Bertuzzi comes in, despite his excellent first half of the season, and being in only the second year of a four-year contract with a $5.5 million cap hit.

The guy I kind of wonder about from Chicago, and I've got no evidence that they're thinking of this at all, but the guy that's looked pretty good this year has been Bertuzzi... The way he plays and the way he goes, I always wonder about a guy like that because he can really help a playoff team.

Bertuzzi is off to perhaps the best start of his 10-year NHL career, with 19 goals and 29 points in 35 games, while playing 18:24 average ice time a night. He's on pace for 44 goals and 68 points.

The 30-year-old makes for the ideal playoff performer, bringing his gritty, hard-nosed, two-way play. He's only had two shots at playing in the postseason in his decade in the league, and he's made the most of them. He recorded five goals and 10 points in seven games with the Boston Bruins in 2023, and four points in seven games with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2024. In a total of 14 playoff games, he has 14 points and 40 hits.