The Toronto Maple Leafs Might Be Better Off Getting Rid of Tyler Bertuzzi
The Toronto Maple Leafs have some intriguing choices to make about their pending free agents as July 1st approaches. Tyler Bertuzzi is one of these, and even though I like him, his salary could be too much to keep.
Tyler Bertuzzi’s first campaign with the Toronto Maple Leafs was a very strange one.
The tough winger wanted to prove he could be a great in the NHL, so he inked a one-year deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs the previous season. A lot of supporters, including myself, were hoping Bertuzzi would have a breakthrough year.
Sadly, it’s reasonable to say that during his rookie season with the Toronto Leafs, he didn’t live up to such high expectations. By no means was he poor, but despite playing in a top-six position among elite players like Mitch Marner and William Nylander, he only managed 43 points in 80 games.
Although I adore Tyler Bertuzzi and wish him well should he choose to sign elsewhere, it would be best for the Leafs to let him go at this time.
The Toronto Maple Leafs Might Be Better Off Getting Rid of Tyler Bertuzzi
As was previously said, Bertuzzi finished the season with just 43 points; still, a winger earning $5.5 million has to produce more points.
In addition, his ability to score on the power play and his outstanding performance with the Boston Bruins in the playoffs last season were two of the key reasons the Leafs signed him in the first place. To his fair, the Leafs didn’t put a lot of usage out on the first power play unit, but he only scored five goals during the regular season and one goal in the postseason.
Bertuzzi wasn’t awful, by any means, but he did not live up to the Leafs’ expectations, so it’s probably better for them to let him go.
Given that Bertuzzi just said that he does want to play for the Leafs once more, there is always a chance he gets a deal at a reduced salary to remain in Toronto.
But how big of a discount is he ready to accept is the question. Bertuzzi is a player I would not mind paying $4 million to sign for three years, but would he accept a pay cut to stay in Toronto?
I think the Leafs would be wiser to utilize Bertuzzi’s $5.5 million payroll elsewhere, maybe on a top defenseman, and would be better served by keeping Max Domi instead of Bertuzzi this off-season.
Whatever transpires, Bertuzzi was an entertaining player to watch and GM Brad Treliving made the correct choice in signing him last summer. Regretfully, the signing didn’t go as planned.
