The Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan found out today that the Red Wings’ coaching staff grades its players on each and every game performance, and it’s hard to earn a perfect grade. Less-than-surprisingly, Tyler Bertuzzi’s 4-goal game yesterday merited a “5 out of 5”:
The Wings’ coaching staff rates every player on a 1-to-5 scale for every game. Coach Jeff Blashill said Friday rarely has a player received a five rating. Bertuzzi achieved that mark.
“He got fives across the board from the coaching staff,” Blashill said. “He was great in all areas of the ice. Obviously offensively, but defensively he tilted the ice a little bit, and he was good on the power play. He had an outstanding game and there certainly was a good vibe in the room.”
Bertuzzi is one of the most popular players in the locker room.
“As I told you guys when the news came out Bert wasn’t going to be vaccinated, our guys love Bert, he’s a guy you want to be around,” Blashill said. “He’s a winner, a great competitor. Everyone knows he had to ground through most of last year rehabbing into the summer, and he had a late start to the exhibition season. For a start like that, it’s awesome. He played excellent.”
Continued, with discussion about Robby Fabbri stepping into Dylan Larkin’s skates as he recovers from whatever injury he’s battling…
