Bertuzzi Wants to stay in Detroit

[Guest Shoreline]

His health and consistency is a big question mark, so I would go with an incentive-laden contract -- something he would never sign.

[Casey 145]

Keep him. Anything under $2M is a bargain.

[T.Low 1,011]

Dump him...

I still don't like him, and think he'll be much less impressive once we start playing w/ a healthy team once again. Constantly trying to play to a level he can't achieve resulting in lots of horrid passes and turnovers. Better options on the market, and detroit will have the $$ to upgrade.

Please support your critque. Who are these better options you speak of and what makes them better options? I'm always open to a better option. Convince me.

[RedWings Gone Wild 6]

I've been very happy with big bert so far. We didn't bring him in here to be a top liner, but so far he's filled that role to the best of his abilities. His penalties are a BIG problem though, and, psychologically, he is noticeably weak. I'm particularly concerned about how he will play come playoffs.. is he mentally tough enough to stay out there, be productive, and play smart (i.e. no penalties or terrible giveaways)? If he can do that, I'd be happy to have him retire a Wing.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Looks like Bertuzzi wants to retire here and he says money is no object I'm for it I think he has been real good for us this year especially if he can be had for a good price.\

Freep http://www.freep.com/article/20100121/SPOR...to-stick-around

Awesome. If he'll play for a price around the $1,500,000-$2,000,000 Holland should sign him to a 2 year deal. His new found commitment to back-checking better not change, though.

[Datsyuk2Zetterberg 1]

if they can get him at a discount I wouldn't mind him being a top 6 forward.

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

I wouldn't mind him re-signing, but only for a year or two at a time. He's 35 now so even if his back acts up and he is forced to retire, the Wings are on the hook for his contract and cap space.

[Z Winged Dangler 2,082]

if they can get him at a discount I wouldn't mind him being a top 6 forward.

2 years for 3 mil sounds good.

[Guest Crymson]

he had freegin major back surgery. im just saying a lot of guys with back problems fall off REALLY fast. He HAS played really good this season...but in 3 years he could be a liability. I guess that's the risk you take.

.... his back surgery was in 2007. He already HAS fallen off.

[T.Low 1,011]

I've been very happy with big bert so far. We didn't bring him in here to be a top liner, but so far he's filled that role to the best of his abilities. His penalties are a BIG problem though, and, psychologically, he is noticeably weak. I'm particularly concerned about how he will play come playoffs.. is he mentally tough enough to stay out there, be productive, and play smart (i.e. no penalties or terrible giveaways)? If he can do that, I'd be happy to have him retire a Wing.

Well said.

[Frozen-Man 144]

you're full of negative energy.

I agree... I'd be happier with 3 years, 6 mil... even though it raises the initial cap, he's over 35 and any contract will count against the cap if he reitres... if he wants to play another year or two after that, go a year at a time...

He doesn't turn 35 until February 2nd. . . Coming up quick but I'm just saying.

[Carman 387]

Great news, he's certainly worth it. I believe his bad penalties come from his reputation mostly. Oh and Holmstrom also commits a lot of the same type of penalties...

[Guest CaliWingsNut]

Please support your critque. Who are these better options you speak of and what makes them better options? I'm always open to a better option. Convince me.

Carolina and Chicago are due for fire sales. We know Detroit's roster will be changing. Bert, Williams, Homer, Malts, May, Lids, Lilja, Lebda, Meech, Abdel, & Helm all do not have contracts currently for next year. There will be plunty of options better than Bert.

[akustyk 84]

give him a green light now and negotiate the deal after the playoffs.

I liked him a lot this year and would definitely like this to continue for another couple years.

[mmamolo 287]

Carolina and Chicago are due for fire sales. We know Detroit's roster will be changing. Bert, Williams, Homer, Malts, May, Lids, Lilja, Lebda, Meech, Abdel, & Helm all do not have contracts currently for next year. There will be plunty of options better than Bert.

At his price tag? Such as???

[VM1138 1,921]

I've heard this "money is no object" thing before. CoughHossaCoughHudler.

I'm all for resigning him, thuogh. He's clearly rejuvinated his career here with the Wings and he's a real asset once again. And at 34, he's not "old" enough to be a liability. He's found his legs again and he's got another year or two of par hockey left before he declines anymore, I think.

[Guest CaliWingsNut]

At his price tag? Such as???

Seriously?

I have more of a life than to look up who may or may not be available for trade NHL wide next off-season.

The idea was Bert is a patch, as was Williams (for a hudler and hossa whom we couldn't both afford, before losing both). We got tied up at the end of the trading season with a tight cap and Holland did what he could. Next year (especially with 4 potential retirements), the Red Wings could be a very different animal.

Edited January 21, 2010 by CaliWingsNut

[up2here 41]

Dont I remember this exact same thread about this same time last year about Hossa?

[Mors 201]

I'd be more than happy to see him sign a 3-4 year deal after this season, he's proven he can still play and handle top line minutes.

[Datsyerberger 279]

I very much indeed approve of this, love the guy's attitude, can score clutch goals, and great team guy, if he just could manage to take fewer unnecessary penalties, that would be great.

Well, if mindfly can be positive about something, then so can I. Count me in.

[puckhog419 0]

Like a lot of people, I was not a fan of resigning bert especially after the way he left us last time. This season he has really come through for the team though. If we could get him for a good price, it would be awesome for him to stay on the team

[Motown4013 350]

I was one of the few that liked this signing at the beginning of the year an have rooted for Bert throughout the year. He has played great for this team and was the only guy who could find the back o the net in December...he scored some big goals for us.

For what he brings, he is a steal for the $ and he clearly wants to be here. I hope Bert gets to finish his career here because I think he is an asset for sure!

[cjm502 165]

Bert has been looking more and more like his old self as of late. He has been more aggressive, and he has been putting up much more offense. Up until just recently he has not taken many penalties either. Bert is a keeper.

[Nev 1,085]

Dont I remember this exact same thread about this same time last year about Hossa?

Difference was, only the most homerish of fanboys thought we had a serious chance of re-signing Hossa.

Bert wanted to stay in '07 but the stupid 2 year, $8M contract Burke threw at him was irresistable.

I'm pretty confident that we'll be able to sign him for 2 year $3-4M contract I've liked what I've seen of him this year. He looks leaner, he's skating well, and he still has the hands, if not quite the snarl, that he used to have. For $1.5M you really can't complain.

[puckhog419 0]

Difference was, only the most homerish of fanboys thought we had a serious chance of re-signing Hossa.

Bert wanted to stay in '07 but the stupid 2 year, $8M contract Burke threw at him was irresistable.

I'm pretty confident that we'll be able to sign him for 2 year $3-4M contract I've liked what I've seen of him this year. He looks leaner, he's skating well, and he still has the hands, if not quite the snarl, that he used to have. For $1.5M you really can't complain.

I thought in '07 bert wanted out. He called up burke and asked him to sign him and take him out of detroit