Todd Bertuzzi

[Aussie_Wing 354]

I like Bertuzzi, but I had just about written him off as far as returning next season. He was DOMINANT today, and if that's how it's going to be then we need to re-sign him. 1 goal and 4 assists are you kidding me?!

Can we fit both Hudler and Bertuzzi? I guess only if Lidstrom takes a huge paycut.

[ShanahanMan 473]

5 point game for Bert. Very nice.

[Carman 387]

He was great.

It's amazing how much better he looks when his passes end up on a Red Wing's stick instead of the oppenents' sticks.

[AIK'91 22]

I think Bert wants to be back as well. So him and Kenny should be able to work out a reasonable cap number.

When you think about it, Todd's one of the few players on our roster who doesn't have a Cup ring. So he's obviously real motivated--as we saw with his dominant performance today. After a game like this, perhaps it's not so crazy to suggest that he's regaining much of his old form.

( :siren: Still ecstatic from tonight's game!)

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029]

He was great.

It's amazing how much better he looks when his passes end up on a Red Wing's stick instead of the oppenents' sticks.

If it came down to keeping one or the other,Bertuzzi without a doubt.

[brett 1,029]

finally had a good game.

[Zetts 236]

I'd like to have him back and I think he wants to be back. But is there a workable cap number? He'll get a raise from 1.5 no question, hometown discount or not. Maybe to 2 or 2.25 financed by a Lidstrom pay cut?

Lord we're hanging a lot of next season on a Lidstrom pay cut.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

He was great.

It's amazing how much better he looks when his passes end up on a Red Wing's stick instead of the oppenents' sticks.

It works wonders to look before you throw a pass out into the slot.

[Hossa4Life 4]

I am just glad someone made a new thread so the "bertuzzi sucks flat out frickin sucks" thread didnt pop back up again.

[TheOwl 77]

The one criticism I have of the coaching/management is not keeping lines that are working, together. Bert/Flip/Zetterberg has been amazing most nights. Much like Mule/Dats/Homer. Chemistry is everything, especially since this is very affordable, Bert and Homer are both 2 mill/season. Hudler should man the third line with the improving Abs and Helm. Keep big Bert!

[FunkedUp 29]

Bert had an excellent game tonight. Hopefully this is a sign for more to come.

[Duck Guy 86]

ehh good game tonight no doubt but how many games was he crap vs. how many games he was not crap this whole season?

Edited May 7, 2010 by Duck Guy

[Guest blueadams]

how does he fit into our plans next season...if at all?

[Hossa4Life 4]

how does he fit into our plans next season...if at all?

If he is back what do you think the lines will be?

[Shady Ultima 40]

I'd love to see him return. He is looking like he did back in Vancouver, at least somewhat.

As for lines

Bert/Dats/Homer

Flip/Z/Mule

Cleary/Abs/Hudler

Eaves/Helm/Miller

Ritola/Draper

Edited May 7, 2010 by Shady Ultima

[Wings_Dynasty 267]

If he is back what do you think the lines will be?

Come on, come on... TAKE THE BAIT!!! LET'S GET DRUNK!!!

[dobbles 252]

as one of the harsh bertuzzi critics early in the season, i have been happy with his late season play and playoff play. i still have to yell at the tv a couple times a game because of bert, but at this point his contributions have outweighed his poor overall play. when factoring in his salary, he has definitely been a good signing. for a player like bertuzzi who is getting older, its all about being a complimentary player on your line. and i think he has really fit well on the zetterberg line. it had success late in the regular season with flip and then blew up last night with franzen. i would have never said this at the beginning of the year, but i would be ok if he was brought back. however, i don't think he merits much of a salary bump. he has said he would play for less here, so why not get him a contract similar to this years? many folks seem to think he will want 2-2.5 mil and i do think thats starting to be too much.

[Guest DatsyukianDeke13]

Not to take anything away from Bertuzzi, but I think Franzen was the biggest reason Bert racked up those points.

[T.Low 1,011]

I'd love to see him return. He is looking like he did back in Vancouver, at least somewhat.

As for lines

Bert/Dats/Homer

Flip/Z/Mule

Eaves/Helm(Abs?)/Hudler

Draper/Abs(Helm?)/Miller

Ritola

Thank you for making a posivite Bertuzzi thread. I've seen him in his prime in Vancouver and even though I wanted to root for the guy, there was just something about his attitude that I couldn't get past. Never liked him until he was languishing in Florida and it occured to me that he could be a good trade deadline pickup for the Wings and low and behold thats what happened, although it wasn't that successful at the time.

Now I'm glad he's a Red Wing and really want to see him hoist The Stanley Cup.

Game 4, last night, Bertuzzi really showed where he excells in this part of his career; playmaking and net presence (which includes scoring in front of the net). He showed his patience with the puck, and his passes to Franzen and Rafalski both were right in the sweet spot for perfect one timers, and they were not easy passes to make. He is most valuable when he plays with a bonafide scorer like Franzen, Z, , and Naslund. His potential value will not be realized if he is paired with Homer (unfortunately, he can only carry the goal scoring bucket for so long).

I'd really like to see him find a home here with Detroit for $1.5 or $2m.

Bert, Z, and Franzen is a monster line. To swicth it up every now and then,move Z to Pav and Homer's line and insert Filp between Franzen and Bert.

[henrik40 76]

I feel like Bert's big games are few and far between. Don't get me wrong though, for the points he puts up at 1.5 mil he's a bargain. I just get so pissed at his lazy play which occurs more frequently than his big games. I'm rather indifferent to him coming back or not.

[T.Low 1,011]

Not to take anything away from Bertuzzi, but I think Franzen was the biggest reason Bert racked up those points.

Bertuzzi created the drop pass to Franzen by cutting across the lane and dragging the D with him creating a momentary criss cross screen for Nabby and thats all Johan needed to blast one by him. Don't underestimate that play by Bert. Same with his pass all the way across ice between defenders to Raffy's wheel house for the one timer. And the perfect screen and tip for the first goal. It wasn't going in without his redirect. That is how he scored many if not most of his goals in Vancouver. If that first goal didn't happen, who knows what the outcome of the game would have been. it sure set Franzen off on a terror. Bert has great vision, great playmaking sense, and great hands, and he is still a big body out there to reek havoc.

His down fall is when he thinks too much and a little too slowly, then he tries to force a play even though it's timing has passed. I think Franzen moves into the scring lanes with such speed and precision that Bertuzzi doesn't have time to think too much, he just sees it and figures out a way to get him the puck. ANd franzen finishes.

Do not under estimate the value of Bertuzzi's role in Franzen's goals. Bertuzzi earned his 5 point night.

Edited May 7, 2010 by T.Low

[T.Low 1,011]

I feel like Bert's big games are few and far between. Don't get me wrong though, for the points he puts up at 1.5 mil he's a bargain. I just get so pissed at his lazy play which occurs more frequently than his big games. I'm rather indifferent to him coming back or not.

I agree that he can be frustrating because you know what his potential is/was. However, he cannot perform at that level all the time because the dude has a f***ed up back, in a major way. I've seen what back problems do to athletes; he's gott em and it is what it is. His pay reflects that fact (among others)

On the one hand, I don't think he got a single phone call to play last year, not even a thank you good luck call from Clagary. Detroit gave him another chance, so I think his price should stay low.

On the other hand, he is now being showcased for the entoire NHL to see again, and he is doing well, so of course he may be a bit more in demand again. Hmm.

Edited May 7, 2010 by T.Low

[Guest Lidstromboli]

We won't make the playoffs with Bertuzzi on the team.

[kylee 727]

i think he especially plays best when he plays with confidence. hopefully he keeps going, and as for a resign i'd like to see him back for sure.

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

If I'm not mistaken, his playoff numbers this year exceed the usual Hudler playoff numbers for us.

Hudler is younger than him, which is the only long-term advantage of keeping him over Bertuzzi. Doesn't matter if he leaves the team again, however.

At the end of the day, though, I'd rather have Bertuzzi than Hudler.