Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman struck another name off his re-signing list: Forward Tyler Bertuzzi.
Bertuzzi, 26, agreed to a two-year deal with a $4.75 million annual average value. The deal buys the Wings one year of free agency. It is in line with his status as one of the core pieces of the rebuild. Bertuzzi was coming off a one-year, $3.5 million deal awarded last fall after he filed for arbitration.
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Bertuzzi only appeared in nine games last season, but he had a great start in that span, scoring five goals among seven points. A back injury forced him to leave during the Jan. 31 game, and despite numerous attempts at a comeback, he wasn’t able to return. Bertuzzi underwent back surgery in April, and is expected to be ready for training camp in September.
With his signing out of the way, there are four NHL-tested RFAs left in Jakub Vrana, Adam Erne, Filip Hronek and Givani Smith.
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