The Red Wings have taken care of one of their top restricted free agents, announcing that they’ve signed winger Tyler Bertuzzi to a two-year contract. PuckPedia reports (Twitter link) that the deal carries a $4.75MM AAV and will pay him $4.25MM next season and $5.25MM in 2022-23.
The 26-year-old was limited to just nine games last season due to a back injury that required surgery at the end of April. Bertuzzi was still productive in his short stint, however, as he still notched five goals and two assists in those contests. Prior to 2020-21, he had two straight seasons of 21 goals and had established himself as an important part of their top line.
Despite the limited action, Bertuzzi still landed a nice raise on the $3.5MM salary he made last season. Part of the reason for that is that the contract buys out his first year of UFA eligibility while also covering his final year of arbitration eligibility. It’s a deal that doesn’t carry much risk for either side as it’s a short-term commitment for Detroit while allowing Bertuzzi a couple of seasons to show he can stay healthy and that the back injury is behind him before entering the UFA market at the age of 28.
GM Steve Yzerman still has plenty of work to do with his restricted free agents as defenseman Filip Hronek plus wingers Adam Erne and Jakub Vrana are still in need of new contracts. Hronek isn’t arbitration-eligible but has been a consistent point producer over his three NHL seasons, Erne is coming off a career-high in goals with 11, and Vrana made an immediate impact after being acquired at the trade deadline and will be eligible for arbitration for the first time after scoring 68 goals over the past three seasons.
Happy to see the Red Wings sign him but believe it’s too much. Would have liked to have seen this 2-year deal at $8.5M instead, $4M in yr 1, $4.5 yr 2. Anyway hope he stays healthy and is highly productive.