Thoughts on Bertuzzi after first game as a Wing?

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

I actually thought he played really well!

At first he seemed a little scared and very cautious out there. After 4-5 shifts he seemed to feel more comfortable and started playing his game. Had a few hits, drove to the net, played on the PP, PK..etc. It excites me knowing that the guy hasn't played in 6 months and for it being the first time in so long he played well. You would think that after that much time not playing that he'd be much more rusty than he was tonight. He's going to be a DOMINANT force come playoff time. I just know it!!

Atta boy Bert!

Also, how funny was it that in one of his first few shifts he gets the puck to the face by Cheli! Haha he laughed about it after it happened which I thought was great.

Anywho. Thoughts? Comments? Concerns?

[Viperar 16]

I was also pretty impressed for his firs time out there with the boys, i remember one specific time when he shouldered some guy and won puck possession in the cbj zone, looked good in my opinion

[Feldmarschall 9]

I believe it was Hainsey he just put the shoulder into, passed the puck up the boards to the point. Solid play, there's not another guy on the roster save perhaps Franzen that can and will do that.

[Louisville 112]

I don't know about that call against him.

Weak IMO....

Otherwise I was content with his first game. Could of been worse for a guy who hasn't played most of the year.

Also, I really thought he was going to score on the shootout...I could tell he really wanted it :|

[Viperar 16]

his shootout move was perfect, he just put it too high, he had norenna beat easy

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Also, how funny was it that in one of his first few shifts he gets the puck to the face by Cheli! Haha he laughed about it after it happened which I thought was great.

That's one tough SOB!

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

His drive to the net was awesome. Like Mick said, we haven't seen anything like it all year from a Red Wing. It'll definitely be exciting to see him get back up to full speed.

[dicksmack 33]

Very promising start for Bertuzzi. He improved as he went along. I think the Wings fans cheered him bowling over Norrena since we've not had someone to respond when our goalies got run or our guys cheapshotted. It's also nice to see one of our guys go to the net like that! He and Homer should be separated on the pp and in general, I think since they both are great screeners. Bert likes to sometimes screen as a moving target and that would give a different type of attack than Homer, who just plants himself. And with Bert cruising through in close, I can see Pavel ripping wicked wristers past goalies who can't even see them. And I also see those guys scoring playoff type goals in general. You get the feeling that Pavel won't get run at down the stretch--I mean the last that tried that with...(nevermind)

This guy is the perfect player for the Wings, and I used to joke about that...

Imagine Bert/Hank/Pav on the pp...holy s***e, unstoppable!

[GongShow86 0]

good s***

[theman19 47]

you know what, i've said all year this team is one competent right wing away from making some noise this year,

insert a very compent beast of a right wing and i can't wait to see this guy do something this playoff

[GiantRobot 0]

Decent game, he took some hits, gave some, had a few chances...Im happy

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Nothing too magnificent from him, nothing too awful from him either. He was just "one of the guys" out there like Babcock wanted to be. He'll be fine if his back remains healthy.

[Gizmo 21]

I'd say "good first outing".

[DEVILSWATERBOY 10]

Sure Im glad to have him with a winged wheel , what a extra demension he gives the boys in red and white

[Zion 93]

He was skating much faster late in the game. Seemed rusty, and needs to (obviously) develop some chemistry. I didn't understand putting him AND Homer on the same line, however. I thought Flip had played well enough with Dats to warrant having Bertuzzi be the big guy in net. But if Babcock wants him to dig in the corners and keep Homer in front, that will work, also, I guess.

[hillbillywingsfan 794]

he was slow at first but thats to be expected from not playing since oct=) but he starting looking pretty good. i can't wait for games to come. calder is still the man when it comes to grit..that dude is awesome...but ill save that for another thread.=)

[FinRedWing 172]

I'm just glad he finished the game healthy.

[RedRum #1 0]

I like how Bertuzzi's game picked up as things went along, but I absolutely cant understand the what Babcock is thinking. First, why put Homer and Bertuzzi together? Let Bertuzzi be the big winger and put some speed on the other side. Lastly, why is Babcock so adamant (as he said last night) about putting Bertuzzi with Lang once Zetterberg gets back? I think Bertuzzi and Lang would be a disaster defensively, and Lang just doesnt move his feet enough to create anything.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Actually, for how long he's been out, I was extremely impressed. You could still see some signs of rust, but I thought he played hard and wasn't afraid to get physical.

I see good things to come from him.

[Rice 42]

You could tell he was rusty but I thought he looked good. He was a physical presence and can still drag guys along with him when he has the puck. As he said in an interview, he only played for 10 minutes with Datsyuk and Holmstrom before the game. I'm looking forward to him getting used to the system and getting into game shape.

[Covenant 0]

He seemed very slow to me, but that was mostly the first period. I admire Babcock for

throwing him out there in the shootout. Nice move too, just a touch high, EASILY beat

the goalie. It's just comforting to see that huge dude in a Wings jersey.. When he was mucking a bit in the corners, or even just skating past Homer, he just seemed enormous! And I don't think Homer is real small either.. (not too sure)

*all you regulars, forgive my GDT-bashing please, I was pissed off after the game, naturally.

Edited March 23, 2007 by Covenant

[wingsfan40 0]

#44 Looked great!!!! I'm just glad we have him a few games before the playoffs start!

[Pskov Wings Fan 71]

He was skating much faster late in the game. Seemed rusty, and needs to (obviously) develop some chemistry. I didn't understand putting him AND Homer on the same line, however. I thought Flip had played well enough with Dats to warrant having Bertuzzi be the big guy in net. But if Babcock wants him to dig in the corners and keep Homer in front, that will work, also, I guess.

I also think he was put on the wrong line. I don't think he was ready to play with Datsyuk. Most of the time first line seemed somewhat disorganized. Homer losing scoring touch did not help either. Then again Bert was skating and hitting and digging for the puck so not a bad showing after not playing for 6 months.

Dats not having assists in last 3 games is not a healthy sign.

[OsGOD 3]

As the beginning of the game he looked reserved and very nervous. As the game progressed he looked more and more comfortable and had some decent scoring attempts. He will only get better.

Edited March 23, 2007 by OsGOD

[Ozzie30 170]

Bert definately looked rusty, but did seem to improve as the game progressed. You can definately pick him out when he's on the ice...he towers over the rest of the team (Franzen excluded).