The Free Press’s Helene St. James reminds us that one of the Red Wings’ best players won’t play in the next two games, as Detroit heads to Toronto on Saturday and Montreal on Tuesday:
Tyler Bertuzzi’s decision not to get the COVID-19 vaccine means he cannot cross the border under current regulations. The Wings are at Toronto Saturday, and at Montreal Tuesday. During the four days they are in Canada, In addition to two games, Bertuzzi will miss a practice, and is responsible for arranging and paying for his own way to Boston, where the Wings play Nov. 4.
“It’s up to him if he wants to skate,” coach Jeff Blashill said Friday. “We have a plan in place that he will follow according to what he wants. He will be by himself.”
The Wings will not pay Bertuzzi, the NHL’s sole unvaccinated player, while he misses team activities in Canada. Bertuzzi is making $4.25 million this season. Divided over the 200-day pay schedule the NHL uses, that works out to $85,000 gross over four days. (That does not include escrow, taxes, and agent’s fee.)
Actions have consequences, and if Tyler is comfortable with losing $450,000 in gross pay to not take a shot, that’s his call.
