Can We Talk About Bertuzzi?

[OsGOD 3]

Bertuzzi isn't the same since the Steve Moore incident. It might have affected him psychologically.

Well that and missing yet another season with hardcore back surgery.

[Turretin 0]

I say we don't resign:

1. Bertuzzi

2. Maltby

3. Calder

4. Lang

5. Schneider

and then use all of that money to actually get a game-changer. Let the young guys come in and fill the rest of the roles. Quincey is ready to replace Schneider (if Kronwall and Lebda come back healthy). We've got Grigs coming in (and hopefully Mursak sometime soon). We need to spend some money on one more game changer.

PS. I think this is one reason Holland traded for Calder. Not only did he like his skills, but his contract was up this year, while Willy's had another to go.

[Wings_Dynasty 267]

Well that and missing yet another season with hardcore back surgery.

That more so. Anyone ever take 7 months off of work or school? You come back and you don't even remember where the coffee pot is. It takes time to get timing and feel back, and he is at 80% at best.

[shdwx14 7]

Bert didn't play his best but neither did any other wings besides Dom really after the Sharks scored. We could have easily lost by more if Dom didn't make some big saves. With the rest of the team disappearing after the Sharks goal I'm not suprised he looked lost, he looked like everyone else. He has had a few really good games, I'm not gonna jump ship because the team played bad and Bert joined in. Hopefully the Wings will come to play 60 minutes next game. I think Bert will come around, unfortunately if he or any player for that matter doesn't have a team to back him they are not going to excel in a game, especially a player like Bert, being big does have a speed barrier.

[OsGOD 3]

I say we don't resign:

1. Bertuzzi

2. Maltby

3. Calder

4. Lang

5. Schneider

and then use all of that money to actually get a game-changer. Let the young guys come in and fill the rest of the roles. Quincey is ready to replace Schneider (if Kronwall and Lebda come back healthy). We've got Grigs coming in (and hopefully Mursak sometime soon). We need to spend some money on one more game changer.

PS. I think this is one reason Holland traded for Calder. Not only did he like his skills, but his contract was up this year, while Willy's had another to go.

We are going to get the money to go get another goaltender... Duh, its what you do when you can't score in the post season, its what we have always done... we are Detroit dammit... Give us a new goaltender or give us death!

[Viperar 16]

We are going to get the money to go get another goaltender... Duh, its what you do when you can't score in the post season, its what we have always done... we are Detroit dammit... Give us a new goaltender or give us death!

great post

[RedStormRising 7]

I didn't read through all the posts, so this may have already been mentioned, but there is an article on ESPN.com that says to bench Bertuzzi.

Here's the beginning of the article, and if anyone is an Insider maybe they could post the whole article:

"If crease-crashing winger Tomas Holmstrom can return to the Wings' lineup in Game 4 (as expected), coach Mike Babcock will have to take a forward out of the lineup.

Here's a suggestion: Scratch Todd Bertuzzi."

[RedWingsFanatic 4]

Yeah, I was just about to post the Hradek thing from ESPN. The Wings will not, and should not, bench Bertuzzi. He had a pretty awful Game 3, but it certainly doesn't warrant him a benching. With Holmstrom back, Bertuzzi will be taken off the top line and *hopefully* put back with Lang and Franzen, which should get some things going again for all three of them.

[OsGOD 3]

Lucky for us ESPN is dumb.

[JayUp88 1]

I say we don't resign:

1. Bertuzzi

2. Maltby

3. Calder

4. Lang

5. Schneider

and then use all of that money to actually get a game-changer. Let the young guys come in and fill the rest of the roles. Quincey is ready to replace Schneider (if Kronwall and Lebda come back healthy). We've got Grigs coming in (and hopefully Mursak sometime soon). We need to spend some money on one more game changer.

PS. I think this is one reason Holland traded for Calder. Not only did he like his skills, but his contract was up this year, while Willy's had another to go.

Ok i am going to agree and disagree

1. Bertuzzi, i say give him another year. its not like he is getting a ton of money from us and if he doesn't do that great he wont get that much. But i like the guy he brings a big man to a team that needs one. the fans seem to like him too.

2. Maltby, you can't get rid of him. he is a detroit redwing. he brings leadership to the team and doesn't take much money from us.

3. Calder, he did great until he hurt his hand so he is a toss up for me.

4. Lang, well know oe likes lang he sucks

5. Schneider, he is good and i likehim on the team but i think he needs to take a pay decrease.

[shdwx14 7]

Lucky for us ESPN is dumb.

LOL

Bert Regaining his game The Det News sees Bert differently than ESPN

Edited May 1, 2007 by shdwx14

[Red4wings4life 0]

We are going to get the money to go get another goaltender... Duh, its what you do when you can't score in the post season, its what we have always done... we are Detroit dammit... Give us a new goaltender or give us death!

Umm Correct me if I am wrong but Osgood is signed for atleast another year and Dom is a free agent at the end of the season and I am sure if Dom is going to play another Year he will be a Red Wing.

[OsGOD 3]

Umm Correct me if I am wrong but Osgood is signed for atleast another year and Dom is a free agent at the end of the season and I am sure if Dom is going to play another Year he will be a Red Wing.

Oh please stop following me around... I am getting a little paranoid

Have you known the wings to keep a goalie (other than ozzie for longer that 2 or 3 years).... Have you been a fan long enough to see the embarassing goalie go round every season... regardless of the outcome... hell we have 3 stanley cups in my lifetime.. with 3 different goalies... review and get back to me

Edited May 1, 2007 by OsGOD

[motorcitykid 42]

Have you been a fan long enough to see the embarassing goalie go round every season... regardless of the outcome... hell we have 3 stanley cups in my lifetime.. with 3 different goalies... review and get back to me

Osgod, funny man, funny. :wacko: Edited May 1, 2007 by motorcitykid

[Kp-Wings 3]

I say we don't resign:

1. Bertuzzi

2. Maltby

3. Calder

4. Lang

5. Schneider

and then use all of that money to actually get a game-changer. Let the young guys come in and fill the rest of the roles. Quincey is ready to replace Schneider (if Kronwall and Lebda come back healthy). We've got Grigs coming in (and hopefully Mursak sometime soon). We need to spend some money on one more game changer.

PS. I think this is one reason Holland traded for Calder. Not only did he like his skills, but his contract was up this year, while Willy's had another to go.

I'd keep Calder and Schneider, and perhaps Maltby if he takes a paycut. Bertuzzi I would resign only for a dead minimum price, because he's not worth investing a lot of money into. Lang can hit the road.

I have to ask though: Where do you get the idea that Calder was only used to get rid of Williams? It's not like Calder sucks or anything. He has been a disappointment in these playoffs, but if he can return to his 25 goal form he had in Chicago, then why get rid of him? There is a much better chance that Calder can get his game back after a bad season then, say, someone like Bertuzzi. Calder is a keeper in my book.

[Turretin 0]

I'd keep Calder and Schneider, and perhaps Maltby if he takes a paycut. Bertuzzi I would resign only for a dead minimum price, because he's not worth investing a lot of money into. Lang can hit the road.

I have to ask though: Where do you get the idea that Calder was only used to get rid of Williams? It's not like Calder sucks or anything. He has been a disappointment in these playoffs, but if he can return to his 25 goal form he had in Chicago, then why get rid of him? There is a much better chance that Calder can get his game back after a bad season then, say, someone like Bertuzzi. Calder is a keeper in my book.

C'mon KP, read my comment carefully. I didn't say that Calder was only used to get rid of Williams, I said that ONE of the reasons I think Holland liked the deal is that he could free up some cash a year earlier if he so desired. Calder may be a keeper, but I think we have plenty of kids in the farm system, so unless he is willing to re-sign for next to nothing, we could replace him. We already have at least 8 forwards coming back for sure:

Hank - Dats - Homer

Flip - Kopets - Hudler

Sammy - Draper

Lids - Markov (he'll re-sign for about the same or less, I think)

Kronwall - Lilja

Lebda - Chelios

Quincey

Also, we are bringing Grigs over. I am not saying he is a sure fire NHL'r, but they'll want to give him a chance. My point is that what we really need is a consistent RW scorer. If we can pool money for a number of places (Schneider, Maltby, Calder, Bertuzzi) we could be in the running for a kick-ass player. Who is with me? You want playoff scoring? Then we really need a Drury type guy.

EDIT: I forgot, add Lang to the list of places to get cash from.

Edited May 1, 2007 by Turretin

[Kp-Wings 3]

C'mon KP, read my comment carefully. I didn't say that Calder was only used to get rid of Williams, I said that ONE of the reasons I think Holland liked the deal is that he could free up some cash a year earlier if he so desired. Calder may be a keeper, but I think we have plenty of kids in the farm system, so unless he is willing to re-sign for next to nothing, we could replace him. We already have at least 8 forwards coming back for sure:

Hank - Dats - Homer

Flip - Kopets - Hudler

Sammy - Draper

Lids - Markov (he'll re-sign for about the same or less, I think)

Kronwall - Lilja

Lebda - Chelios

Quincey

Also, we are bringing Grigs over. I am not saying he is a sure fire NHL'r, but they'll want to give him a chance. My point is that what we really need is a consistent RW scorer. If we can pool money for a number of places (Schneider, Maltby, Calder, Bertuzzi) we could be in the running for a kick-ass player. Who is with me? You want playoff scoring? Then we really need a Drury type guy.

EDIT: I forgot, add Lang to the list of places to get cash from.

Drury is a shot in the dark while wearing a blindfold. I seriously don't think Buffalo will let him go. Maybe we could Briere, but rumor has it (and since it's not just from Eklund it could mean something) that he wants to go to Philly. Why he chooses Philly I have no idea, but that's what's been said.

I do agree that if some of these guys are gone then the Wings could be in the front running for a real game breaker type player. They had a hard situation last summer, as the Cap really tied the managment down from making any big signings. This year they might be able to do it. I still want to keep Calder though, so he is one of the exceptions on that list of getting the money from.

One thing that should be looked at, though, is perhaps dumping some of the guys who are under contract to free up even more Cap-room. Samulesson and Kronwall come to mind as the guys to get rid of in that catagory. Samulesson is a true one-hit wonder, and will most likely not regain the form he had during the 2005-2006 season. Kronwall I really wouldn't miss at all. He does lay big hits, but not on a consistant basis. And really, the hitting is his only good catagory. He brings no offense to speak of, and he is the worst puck handler on the team next to Hasek. Not to mention his injury history. If he has another major injury, his salary will really put a knot on the Wings cap, especailly in the years to come when he'll be making somewhere close to 3 million.

A game breaker is not out of the question for certain. It just depends on who comes back next year, and how much money they take if they are back. Some of these dead weight players, like Lang, we can certainly do without, paycut or not.

[Turretin 0]

No one wants Samuelsson, sorry. Also, I don't think too many GM's would take Kronwall. 5 years of this? Injury prone for sure. Some Leafs fans say the same thing about his brother. Maybe his momma had bad milk.

[Kp-Wings 3]

A re-building team that doesn't have squat for players could surely use Samulesson. I know we all think he sucks, but on a team like maybe Washington he could do well.

Kronwall, if injured again, will likely go down as one of the worst signings in team history. If he's again hurt next season, we'd still be stuck with him for 3 or 4 more years. And by his last year, he'll make almost 3 million. I just wish there'd be a team willing to take him.

[AFwinger 21]

Just put up a new post in this forum about benching bert from an article today on espn insider.

http://www.letsgowings.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=42694

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

I say we don't resign:

1. Bertuzzi

2. Maltby

3. Calder

4. Lang

5. Schneider

Bertuzzi should be signed. I don't think people realize how hard it is to come back and play your game after being out for so long with a back injury and then having a concussion/neck strain. And the thing is he's played pretty damn good up until last night in which he was completely off. That happens. That doesn't take away from what an important player and dominant player Todd could be. The farther the Wings go in these playoffs, the more they are going to need him. I bet anything he'll be re-signed and for a less amount than he's making right now.

Maltby will be re-signed based on the fact that the organization loves him so very much. The guy ALWAYS plays great in the playoffs and it's no different this time. He might not put up numbers, but every little thing he does is contributing and helping out whether killing penalties, great forechecking, hitting, etc.. he's an important part of the team despite his not so great regular seasons. I expect he'll be signed but at a much lower amount than he's making this season.

Why in the world should we not sign Kyle? The guy is a hell of a player. He showed us that after being acquired in February, and while he hasn't been so hot in the playoffs thus far, he's still an asset. Are we forgetting that the guy is supposedly playing with a broken hand? That does take a lot away from your game believe it or not! Anyways, I absolutely LOVE what I've seen from the guy. He's such a hard worker, fantastic along the boards, gritty, strong on the puck, and tough. In the long run it's guys like KC that when you look back and see why the Wings were successful his name will pop up due to his contributions. You don't have to score to make a difference. His prescence, and the fact that he's such a hard worker says enough. He needs to be re-signed. Big mistake if Kenny doesn't do so.

Lang won't be re-signed. It's obvious. I love the guy, but it won't happen.

Schneids needs to be. He's so effective out there and is a real huge, core part of the Wings D. I'd be really disappointed if they decided to no re-sign him. I think they will, though..

[motorcitykid 42]

Maybe his momma had bad milk.

Oh. Snap!

Also, I just do not get the rush to sign Bertuzzi yet throw Calder out with the trash. Reality, if it suits anyone, should see very little interest in Bertuzzi [thus far he's shown zero to offer him a contract], while Calder should definitely have a look-see. Cmon he's got a broken hand.

Edited May 2, 2007 by motorcitykid

[Draperfan 104]

Does DraperFan hate him or something?

Of course i hate him,i've been trying to tell you guys all along that hes not the same player he once was.Living out west i've seen him play enough.Like i said before his last year in Vancouver he was nothing but a floater and taking dumb penaltys,why do you think the Canucks gave up on him? Hes a changed man ever since the Moore incident.

Bertuzzi has been like this ever since the Steve Moore incident.

He's basically in it to collect a paycheque. I think Todd has lost his motivation and desire to play on that knifes edge needed to excel in his position. If anything, when he tries, he'll try to be a finesse player which he's not. Occasionally you'll get a decent game out of him where he'll throw checks but its few and far between.

Sorry Wings fans, that Bertuzzi you're thinking of is __long__ gone.

On resigning Bertuzzi; for your sake I would not recommend it. If you want a PF, the rumblings from Calgary is that Sutter might blow it up a bit. Make an offer for Iginla before he hits FA. I'd like the Canucks to pick him up but that's never going to happen.

I"ve been trying to tell them this for awhile now,so i think your wasting your time

[Lou_Siffer 1]

Bertuzzi should be signed. I don't think people realize how hard it is to come back and play your game after being out for so long with a back injury and then having a concussion/neck strain. And the thing is he's played pretty damn good up until last night in which he was completely off. That happens. That doesn't take away from what an important player and dominant player Todd could be. The farther the Wings go in these playoffs, the more they are going to need him. I bet anything he'll be re-signed and for a less amount than he's making right now.

Maltby will be re-signed based on the fact that the organization loves him so very much. The guy ALWAYS plays great in the playoffs and it's no different this time. He might not put up numbers, but every little thing he does is contributing and helping out whether killing penalties, great forechecking, hitting, etc.. he's an important part of the team despite his not so great regular seasons. I expect he'll be signed but at a much lower amount than he's making this season.

Why in the world should we not sign Kyle? The guy is a hell of a player. He showed us that after being acquired in February, and while he hasn't been so hot in the playoffs thus far, he's still an asset. Are we forgetting that the guy is supposedly playing with a broken hand? That does take a lot away from your game believe it or not! Anyways, I absolutely LOVE what I've seen from the guy. He's such a hard worker, fantastic along the boards, gritty, strong on the puck, and tough. In the long run it's guys like KC that when you look back and see why the Wings were successful his name will pop up due to his contributions. You don't have to score to make a difference. His prescence, and the fact that he's such a hard worker says enough. He needs to be re-signed. Big mistake if Kenny doesn't do so.

Lang won't be re-signed. It's obvious. I love the guy, but it won't happen.

Schneids needs to be. He's so effective out there and is a real huge, core part of the Wings D. I'd be really disappointed if they decided to no re-sign him. I think they will, though..

WIth the way Cleary has come on Reem, there is absolutely zero reason to resign Kirk Maltby. Cleary, essentially, is the new Maltby. Out with the old in with the new as the saying goes! You dont need him just to kill penalties, because theres also Franzen and Draper there among others. Aside from that, wasnt he like a -8 or so in the regular season anyway? Thats pretty bad for someone who's supposed to be good defensively. Maltby absolutely becomes a total waste of a roster spot. Looking at the free agent list, and given that because of the Datsyuk deal Ryan Smyth is now probably out of the equation unfortunately, I agree on re-signing Bertuzzi. However, I wouldnt offer him more than a one year deal. With his injuries and everything else, you just have to see what kind of game he's gonna bring over a full season before giving him a multiple year deal.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

WIth the way Cleary has come on Reem, there is absolutely zero reason to resign Kirk Maltby. Cleary, essentially, is the new Maltby. Out with the old in with the new as the saying goes! You dont need him just to kill penalties, because theres also Franzen and Draper there among others. Aside from that, wasnt he like a -8 or so in the regular season anyway? Thats pretty bad for someone who's supposed to be good defensively. Maltby absolutely becomes a total waste of a roster spot. Looking at the free agent list, and given that because of the Datsyuk deal Ryan Smyth is now probably out of the equation unfortunately, I agree on re-signing Bertuzzi. However, I wouldnt offer him more than a one year deal. With his injuries and everything else, you just have to see what kind of game he's gonna bring over a full season before giving him a multiple year deal.

Smyth isnt totally out of the picture.

Imagine if you will

Z-Dats-Homer

Bertuzzi-FA Center/Filpula-Smyth

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