MLive’s Ansar Khan offers a 2018-19 outlook for Tyler Bertuzzi this morning:
2018-19 outlook: Bertuzzi made an impact as a rookie, improving steadily and gaining confidence after joining the team full-time in late December. He brings a much-needed element of grit with his physicality and eagerness to go to the net and battle in the corners. He was a good complement on a line with skilled players Henrik Zetterberg and Gustav Nyquist for part of the season.
After dealing with injuries the previous two off-seasons, Bertuzzi was looking forward to a healthy summer of training. The Red Wings opted not to send him back to Grand Rapids for the AHL playoffs. The club’s message to Bertuzzi was to get bigger, stronger and quicker. He planned on working with a skating coach.
If skilled forwards Filip Zadina and Michael Rasmussen make the team, like the Red Wings hope and expect, this club will have many options for top-nine forwards. It remains to be seen where Bertuzzi would be slotted, but they’ll find a place for him, valuing his combination of skill and grit.
Quotable: “He’s like a rink rat-type hockey player. He’s smart. He gets pucks. His game is better than maybe his physical attributes right now. Every night he goes against guys that are probably a little bit stronger and a little bit faster. And he finds a way with his mind and his will to make that up and become a positive impact in the game. … He’ll be more than a complementary player, he’ll be a go-to type player.” – coach Jeff Blashill.
