Per the Free Press’s Helene St. James on Twitter, Tyler Bertuzzi won’t reprise his role as the Grand Rapids Griffins’ go-to playoff scorer:
Red Wings have decided not to send Tyler Bertuzzi to Grand Rapids. They want him to have a big summer in the gym, get stronger. Last summer shortened by Griffins’ Calder Cup championship & injury. Has done everything he could at AHL level (2017 AHL playoff MVP).
— Helene St. James (@HeleneStJames) April 8, 2018
This, you already know:
Jared Coreau will be sent to Grand Rapids if he clears waivers today. #RedWings
— Helene St. James (@HeleneStJames) April 8, 2018
Update: MLive’s Ansar Khan confirms:
#RedWings not assigning Tyler Bertuzzi to @griffinshockey saying “He needs a big-time summer in the gym.” Bertuzzi was AHL playoff MVP last season. Jared Coreau will be sent down if he clears waivers at noon, which is expected.
— Ansar Khan (@AnsarKhanMLive) April 8, 2018
Khan confirms in article form as well:
Bertuzzi won the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy in 2017 as AHL playoff MVP, picking up 10 goals and 19 points during the Griffins’ title run.
Recalled to Detroit mid-season, Bertuzzi had a good rookie year, with seven goals and 24 points in 48 games. He finished strong, complementing Henrik Zetterberg and Gustav Nyquist on the top line with his grit, physicality and net-front presence.
Prior to learning of the team’s decision, Bertuzzi said he was fine either way.
“You want to go try and win again but you want to stay healthy and have a good summer,” Bertuzzi said. “There’s pros and cons both ways.
“It would be awesome to win back-to-back. It’s been a long year. I had an injury the last two summers, so I think that’s a big factor, too, that I haven’t been healthy for the summers for training.”
Stupid decision by the Wings 6 weeks ago.
Smart decision today.
Wish we didn’t waste a call-up in this way. Could have given Hronek a quick look to see how far away he is and help him understand what he needs to work on. Could have given Turgeon more games, instead of say allowing David Booth or Luke Witkowski to play more games. Could have looked at Russo for 10 games. Maybe that helps you decide whether or not to dump Jensen for a 6th rounder. So many options. But at least the Wings didn’t compound on their mistake 6 weeks ago. Funny that some of us called them out on that mistake the moment it happened!