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The Toronto Maple Leafs Sign Forward Tyler Bertuzzi

By David Corcoran

Tyler Bertuzzi #59 of the Boston Bruins looks for a pass in front of goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky #72 of the Florida Panthers in Game Six of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the FLA Live Arena on April 28, 2023 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
Tyler Bertuzzi #59 of the Boston Bruins looks for a pass in front of goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky #72 of the Florida Panthers in Game Six of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the FLA Live Arena on April 28, 2023 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) /
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Chris Johnston reported on Sunday afternoon that the Toronto Maple Leafs had signed forward Tyler Bertuzzi to a one-year $5.5 Million deal.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have also included a full no-movement clause in the deal, which will also have the maximum signing bonus in the contract.

Bertuzzi will join new additions Ryan Reaves and John Klingberg who both signed with the club on the first day of free agency.

The Leafs will now be adding a strong power-forward to their star studded lineup.

The Toronto Maple Leafs Sign Bertuzzi

The Sudbury, Ontario native is a former 30-goal scorer after he reached the milestone during the 2021-22 season in just 68 games and finished that year with 62 points.  He was also a two-time 20-goal scorer prior to reaching the 30 mark.

This past season, Bertuzzi missed a good chunk of the season with an injury after blocking a shot in October and finished the year with just eight goals and 30 points in 50 games split between the Detroit Red Wings and Boston Bruins.

The 28-year old was traded to the Bruins at the deadline by the Red Wings for a first round and fourth round picks in the next upcoming drafts.  After being acquired by Boston, Bertuzzi was able to average nearly a point per game as he notched 16 points in 21 games, while also leading the Bruins in goals (5) and points (10) during their first round loss to the Florida Panthers.

Prior to his injury filled 2022-23 season, Bertuzzi was averaging 19:35 of ice-time per game over the previous three seasons.

He is a former second round pick of the Detroit Red Wings back in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

By taking a one-year contract, Bertuzzi is betting on himself to have a bounce back season and be able to cash in on a longer term contract when he becomes an unrestricted free agent next summer.

Bertuzzi should be able to find success playing on the left side alongside two of William Nylander, Auston Matthews, John Tavares and Mitch Marner.

He is a former AHL Playoff MVP from the 2016-17 season when he helped the Grand Rapids Griffins when the Calder Cup.

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With the signing, capfriendly.com shows that the Leafs have just under 600K left in cap space, however they would increase if Matt Murray ends up on the LTIR, traded or gets sent to the AHL.

This is a pretty solid move by the Toronto Maple Leafs and their new GM.

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