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Be Yourself Bert

by IwoCPO on 05/15/07 at 10:15 AM ET
Comments (7)

Todd Bertuzzi is sounding downright social these days.  The Canadian Press ran a nice little featurette on our boy yesterday, and it made me feel all warm.  I brought the kids in, gathered them around the computer and pointed to the bearded Bertuzzi.  I said, “Kids...that’s a nice man.  He speaks nicely.  He plays nicely.  He doesn’t hurt people and he most definitely wouldn’t place a shaft of composite across your back if you wore a jersey with a ducky on it.”

That made my children happy.

But the things that please children don’t always please adults.  And this is one of those times.  I appreciate the fact that a child can look at Todd Bertuzzi and see a big teddy bear.  That has a place in our society.

But me?  Not so much.  I’d like to, occasionally, wring my hands in frustration due to the vicious cross check Bertuzzi just gave Scott Niedermayer.  I’d like to conform to the standards of our hockey community and say, “wow...that was unnecessary. I hope we don’t pay for that penalty”, while I giggle at the sight of Niedermayer shaking off the cobwebs.

I’d like to see a slo-mo of Bertuzzi’s elbow catching Beauchamin across the jaw as he bulls to the net.  Super slo mo so that I can see the snap of his head moving backward.  That’s good tv. 

This? I don’t like to read this.

“It’s pretty special,” said Bertuzzi. “This is such a respectful team.”

Not a big fan of an allegedly violent man using the term “special.” Not real fond of him using “respectful” either.  The context was different (he was referring to Wing legends and heritage), but still...I’d prefer that word kinda didn’t exist in Bertuzzi’s vocabulary.

Me? I’d reallly like to read a few more quotes that contain the terms “unprovoked violence”, “forearm”, “intimidation through the use of sociopathic tendencies”...you know, fun stuff like that. 

Look...don’t get all upset. Don’t start your “Dear Paul” emails.  I’m not condoning, or even recommending, a Bertuzzi/Moore situation.  All I’m asking for is a step backward, a small one, in behavior. 

I just want to see Bertuzzi play the kind of game he’s capable of, the kind of game that he’s stifling, the kind of game that comes naturally to a man who probably doesn’t do real well in formal social settings.  And I don’t mean for entertainment purposes, but because the Wings need that...badly.

The Wings need a force driving to the net with such momentum that the only possible way to stop him is a save from Giguere.  The Wings need the Duck D punished, and punished often.  Pavel, the little tyke, is trying. So are Draper and Franzen and Hank.  But those bodies are bouncing off.  Bertuzzi, if he chooses to...and, granted, he is this series more than the last...can leave a lasting impression. 

Bertuzzi can soften people, physically and mentally. Bertuzzi can make poultry think twice about taking liberties.  And Bertuzzi is capable of more than 19 shots on goal through 12 playoff games.

He is the key, I believe, to the rest of this series.  Make my children cry Bert.  Make them run from the room terrified.  Don’t worry about the lasting impression you’ll leave on them.  I’ll give them candy or something. They’ll be fine. 

Hurt the ducks.  Pound the ducks.  Hunt down Sasquatch and let him know there was a different guy before the version we see now, who uses the word “special.”

A few things I realize that you’re about to type:  Yes, I know that back is probably still hurting.  And if any injury is going to prevent violent play it’s that.  Yes, I know he’s playing better.  Good.  Now play better than that.  Play faster and dirtier.

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Comments

It’s just a hunch, but I actually don’t think anything is wrong with his back. I don’t get that vibe. Vibes are worth nothing, but hey…

I get the feeling that his restraint is more an issue of him trying to make it work. It’s the backlash from the Moore deal. Once he realizes that there is a very healthy (and legal) middle between the guy he is now and the guy that ruined Moore’s career, the better off he and the Wings will be.

Posted by Nathan on 05/15/07 at 09:49 AM ET

Perhaps we need to start questioning his sexual orientation?  I mean, it fired up the San Jose fans last round and things got pretty nasty...maybe it’ll work with Bert too?

That’s right Todd. I’m talking to you, you big, cuddly, effeminate ball of man-love. Maybe you should spend the next game redecorating the locker room or something.

No that...you know...there’s anything wrong with that.

Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 05/15/07 at 10:09 AM ET

That’s Detroit for ya though… Take the biggest, baddest dudes and turns ‘em into marshmallows.  Example: Chelios.  He’s not the badass he use to be.  Where is the cheap dirty shots that he’s been accused of doing?  Oh, don’t get me wrong, I like watching the guy.  He’s one of the best.  But when the Wings picked him up, the got him to replace the presence of Vlad “the Impaler” Konstantinov. 

Markov was supposed to help this team get grittier… okay, he hit one guy.  Many D-men out there that can do what he does, for a better price. 

Then you got Bert… Chief said enough about him.

Somebody has got to start living up to what their roles are… Hank and especially Datsyuk are some of the grittiest guys on the ice.  That’s not them!  I like it.  But it’s not their roles. 

One name comes to mind… Daniel Cleary.  How much does he make?  Oh, that’s right… chump change and He is one of the best players out there.

Posted by cementslinger from Midland MI on 05/15/07 at 10:22 AM ET

Good post Chief.  Bert needs to show up with his “A” game.  Probably a lot of under current with the League and Moore’s lawyers watching the games.  But he needs to find that middle ground and deliver it on the ice.  He can be warm and fuzzy in Southern Ontario ....... this summer.

Posted by Rumbear from Sandy Eggo on 05/15/07 at 12:49 PM ET

Chief:  Great post.  Witty and spot-on all at once.

Looked up the article you cited, and here is what Babs had to say about Bert:  “He’s got a real simple role with us. Be strong on the wall, get the puck in, get on the forecheck, take it to the net hard, try to hang on to the puck as long as you can and be a physical factor.”

Or to paraphrase:  “Cycle the puck and crush somebody in the process.” Saw Bert deliver at least one crushing check in game two.  The Duck (whos name I dont remember) laid on the ice for a while before staggering to the bench.  Very Nice!!! 

I believe, as you, that Bert needs to be a physical force.  But I would add that the Wings, as a whole, need to do a much better job cycling and playing in the Duck end.  Wings looked pretty freaking pathetic in Overtime (except Datsyuk and Hank).  Pretty much the whole of OT was played in the Wings D zone—and it is pretty damn hard for the Wing to score from there.  You would think, being so close to the Finals, the Wing could have mustered up a little more mojo. 
More Mojo is exactly what Bert needs to bring to the table.

Good post Chief

Posted by Jeff - - OklahomaWingNut from HockeyWasteLand on 05/15/07 at 02:06 PM ET

You don’t get it.  Bert (I still think the Panthers sent an imposter) just doesn’t have it anymore.  That one check in game 2, well Anaheim wound up with the puck, so what was the point.  A check is not a good one unless your team winds up with the puck.  Bert looks good when playing for a weak team, but this is the Red Wings here.

Posted by Gramps (hockeytowntodd) from HockeyTown on 05/15/07 at 06:03 PM ET

I just started reading Kukla’s Blog on the NHL website, love it and glad your a Wing nut too!

Just wanted to add my two cents in on this one!  Agreeing with all what was said above.

Bert and Lang need to get off their butts and start putting some ducks on theirs. Ever since the wings aquired Lang Ive been saying “Put Lang on, where’s Lang ?” Now I say “Where’s Lang?, Where’s Lang? WHERE’S LANG?” Exactly where is Lang? I really havent felt a great performance from him in this 2006-07 playoffs. I would rather see Cleary or Samy out there, besides watching Dats and Hank which I believe are the most entertaining players Ive ever seen. Still Love ya Stevey!!!
As for for Bert - nuff said (not) can I get you a pillow?
Cause when your on the ice the rest of us need one!
Don’t get me wrong I love the wings and I was probably like the rest of you ALRIGHT BERTs A WING!! Ok nuff said.

Also needs to be said that last game was the wings a bad call on that 3rd duck goal stole the reg time win.
Lidstrom always the best
Dats, Hank and Homer keep it up!!
Draps, Malts, Cleary, Samy you guys rock
Hasek love ya you floppy man
And one last note
Chelios is playing the best hockey Ive seen him play in the last 5 years Ken you better keep him til he’s 50 at least!!!!!!  Go WINGS
I feel good about this year Stanley will return to HOCKEYTOWN!

Posted by Canadian WingNut from Cambridge Ontario on 05/15/07 at 08:23 PM ET

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