The Toronto Maple Leafs Are Going to Love Tyler Bertuzzi in the Playoffs
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Tyler Bertuzzi has been a three time 20-goal scorer and even potted 30 in a season once, however, for the majority of this season he has looked anything but a finisher.
Last summer the Toronto Maple Leafs signed the Sudbury, Ontario native to a one-year deal that carried a cap hit of $5.5 Million for the 2023-24 season, but unfortunately for the team he looked like he had a very unlucky season for the most part, despite strong play.
The deal came after a season where he combined for just eight goals over 50-games split between the Detroit Red Wings and Boston Bruins.
What intrigued management had been a stretch run towards the playoffs last year, along with performance in their first round defeat.
The Toronto Maple Leafs Are Going to Love Tyler Bertuzzi in the Playoffs
Bertuzzi appeared to regain his level of play after he was acquired at the trade deadline last year by the Bruins.
Prior to the trade, he had collected just 14-points in 29 games with the Wings, however surpassed that total in 25% less games with the Bruins. Once playoffs started, his game elevated even higher as he tied Brad Marchand for the team lead in points with ten through their seven game series loss to the Florida Panthers.
Despite having a solid finish to the 2022-23 season, Bertuzzi struggled to get his game going this year collecting just six goals and 21-points through his first 51-games. However, there are signs that the tides are turning for the former second round pick. Since the February 17, he has collected ten points, including seven goals through 14 games.
Last Thursday night, the off-season acquisition had arguably his best overall game which came against the Philadelphia Flyers. The puck followed him around the ice and he was able collect a goal by winning a net front battle, as well picking up the primary assist on a break out pass on Timothy Liljegren's eventual game winner.
Had it not been for a coach's review, Bertuzzi would have had an additional tally during the game on one of the nicer deflections by any player this season.
What the 29-year old has brought to the game is a compete level that the organization has failed to have in year's past from any of their top six forwards. While some of the Maple Leafs stars have had a reputation of backing away when things got tough, however, Bertuzzi has shown that in the tougher contests, he has not had trouble mixing it up and not getting bullied.
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Maple Leafs fans have been craving having a player that resembled the likes of Gary Roberts, Steve Thomas or Wendel Clark; and Bertuzzi has been teasing everyone with the possibly of having these capabilities in the playoffs.