Abel to Yzerman
Next entry: Proof Positive
Previous entry: Excuuzi? He’s Coming Back…Book It
Let The Debate Begin, And It’s A Duzzi
by IwoCPO on 08/18/09 at 12:19 PM ET
Comments (114)
Done.
Via TSN,
The Detroit Red Wings added some size and veteran presence up front by agreeing on a one-year contract with former Wing Todd Bertuzzi.
The veteran forward needs to pass a standard physical to make the deal official.
The Grand Rapids Press, The Detroit Free Press and MLive.com claim the team was offering a one-year, $1.5 million contract.
There was too much talk, too many confirmations and way too much angst for this NOT to happen. Jimmy D drunkenly babbled about it then Kenny Holland was left with no choice but to confirm that negotiations with Todd Bertuzzi are real, ongoing and most likely almost finished.
So, yeah. In the midst of a slow summer replete with defecting Czechs and slow-moving Tuesdays, we now have the return of Bertuzzi. And just as I felt back in the Spring of 2007?
I like it. I like that he’s mean and I like that he’s hated. Even if that means he’s hated in Hockeytown?
Yep. I can deal with that too.
Andrew mentioned that I was conditionally in favor of the Bert deal back in 2007, and he was right. We’re going to compare the circumstances in a second. But, first, as I was looking back at the posts from two years ago I came across a quote from our Enigma, Smilin’ Bobby Lang. He was discussing our off-again, on-again BFF, Jason Williams. Remember why he left? Well, maybe his return had a little bit to do with why Bertuzzi’s back in the fold.
Check this out from Never A Bad Day Bobby.
With Calder on the ice, Lang knows he’ll get the puck one way or another because of Calder’s willingness to play in traffic.
“We had Willie there before, and he didn’t really want to do that that much,” Lang said. “He had a great shot and good speed, but I think Kyle is a little bit grittier in those areas, especially around the net and in the corners. That’s the biggest difference-Willie had more speed and more skill, but I think we had enough skill on that line already. We kind of needed a little bit more of the grit.”
Bertuzzi brings the promise of violence. Despite what people have written the last two days, he’s not a “perimiter” player now. He’s a crease guy. He’s a corners guy and he’s a worker. He’s popular with every facet of our organ-I-zation…except the fans. Is that the majority? I don’t know. But if it is, I’m willing to play the pariah.
If he’s healthy, that’s twenty goals. Twenty tough goals, gritty goals. If he’s healthy it’s a big, psychopathic body the other teams have to concern themselves with. And get this. For one year, Todd Bertuzzi makes up for the loss of Jiri Hudler.
I’m fully aware that this opinion is unpopular with more than half of you, like 11 or 12. But I dug it in 2007 and I dig it even more now, when we need him more, and we do. You don’t lose 90 goals and not worry about it, or appease that loss through the signing of Jason Williams and Patrick Eaves. I intensely dislike the Williams signing. I just do and I can’t fully explain it. I haven’t liked his comments leading up to the deal and even after. I never liked the guy and I doubt I will even if he pops in 15 or 20.
I think Bertuzzi adds, if healthy, an element we need and that’s intimidation mixed with skill. I also think we all need to come to grips with the fact that Homer is on the downslope. He’s not a 30 goal guy anymore and his presence in front of the net is not what it used to be. Bertuzzi can augment that.
Oh, I know. I frigging know. The elephant in the room is the Moore incident. Got it. Noted. I’m not downplaying it but it’s a frigging crutch. Did we hate Lemieux for just the Draper hit, or for his actions afterward, the way he refused to acknowledge responsibility? Todd Bertuzzi stuck up for his teammate and made a bad move, a horrible move that he’d take back if he could.
I don’t think Claude Lemieux would take anything back and his antics before and after prove that.
I’ll take Bertuzzi and his penchant for violence. I’ll take it and I’ll hope we see flashes of it when the Wings need it.
And here’s something else we talked about in 2007. Guess how hates this? Despises it with every bit of marrow in their frail, pale little bodies. Yep. Dive fans.
I like the fact that the Wings have dealt for the player Denver hates. Do I condone what he did? No. But, I “forgave” him long before yesterday, and I’ve said so here many times. Am I happy that fringe player and near-goon Steve Moore had his career and life changed by the hit? No.
But does it bother me to see the player who assaulted him on the Wings? Just the opposite. I like it, and I’m betting there are more than a few of you who see the beauty in it.
If I were a columnist for the Detroit Free Press, and I actually knew where the Wings played their home games, would I be writing this? No. I’d be fired for my lack of sensitivity. None of the radio hacks will say it either.
But I can, and I will. I’ll defend it if I have to but I’m not changing my stance: I love this deal because it’s another way to stick it to Denver. If any Dique fans take issue with that, feel free to cc: Kris Draper with your responses.
That was back in ‘07. Today?
I hope Bertuzzi does sign with the Red Wings. That’s a match made in heaven. Hated players belong on hated teams.
by mcarson01 on Aug 17, 2009 9:48 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
You’re damn right they do.
Welcome back Bert. Stay healthy and let’s get down to the business of earning more hate.
Summer’s done. Let’s drop the puck bitches.
Filed in: | Abel to Yzerman | Permalink
Comments
I’m stoked!! Awesome signing! We basically took the EXACT salary we offered to Hudler and used it to sign Eaves, Williams, and Bertuzzi. Sounds awesome to me!
Posted by Cary on 08/18/09 at 12:27 PM ET
After last season, what the heck, go for it.
I like your comparison, Bert vs. Claudia. Actually there is no comparison.
Posted by Jeff from Loveland, CO on 08/18/09 at 12:35 PM ET
Three “if healthy’s” and could have had a lot more—everything about Bertuzzi has to be presented with that caveat. That’s why this move bothers me. He’s passed physicals before and has been unable to stay healthy. What evidence is there that this time will be different?
Posted by Matt Saler from Grand Rapids, MI on 08/18/09 at 12:37 PM ET
Mixed feelings. He’s not the player he was back in the Steve Moore days. I couldn’t freaking stand him then; every time the Wings played Vancouver one of us would get injured. I could calibrate my season schedule around that.
But these days, he’s the injured one, and when he is playing, he’s quieter, much less goonish, and just tries to go about his job in the much less effective manner he possesses now. That somehow amounts to about a 0.66 scoring record per game. Even if its over 60 games, I’ll take that.
Lets just pray neither he nor Williams are on the team next year when we can afford to get some real talent.
Posted by Hippy Dave from Portland by way of Detroit on 08/18/09 at 12:37 PM ET
Chief, great synopsis. I liked it then, I like it now. I never got the hate, it’s not like the guy is a off ice scumbag or gets in trouble with the law, for all intensive purposes it seems that he’s well liked in the locker room and is well liked by everyone in the organization. He’s not the player he was, that’s a given otherwise there’s no way he’d have been unsigned in August. But even then he’s still bigger and meaner than anyone else on this team, not too mention he can play on any line and play in front of the net. I continue to think of it like this, for $1mm more they get a guy to keep the flies off, and be capable of scoring 20+ goals at a bargain salary
Posted by bababooey on 08/18/09 at 12:37 PM ET
“Bertuzzi brings the promise of violence. Despite what people have written the last two days, he’s not a “perimiter” player now. He’s a crease guy. He’s a corners guy and he’s a worker.”
Did you watch any Calgary games last year? Pretty confident all Bert did was try to skate and show he had speed and avoided hitting or punishing the other team at all costs.
He is not the big grinder worker in the corners you think he is, at least he didn’t show that at any point last season. Which is why Sutter let him go.
I’m not saying he can’t be that guy, but he sure wasn’t last year, and hasn’t been since he left Vancouver.
Posted by Patrick from Toronto on 08/18/09 at 12:38 PM ET
I’m stoked!! Awesome signing! We basically took the EXACT salary we offered to Hudler and used it to sign Eaves, Williams, and Bertuzzi. Sounds awesome to me!
Now that’s an optimistic, glass half full viewpoint.
Posted by Lindas1st from New England on 08/18/09 at 12:39 PM ET
I meant for $1mm more than signing an Andre Roy or Aaron Downey they get a guy who can fill the net and play everynight
Posted by bababooey on 08/18/09 at 12:40 PM ET
He comes with a lot of ‘ifs.’ But, IF he lives up to even a few of them, he’ll be worth it. He’s the best we can do with what we have and where we are.
FWIW about the Moore incident—Moore laid a very similar from-behind hit on Naslund earlier in the game. It was a cheap shot and it went unpenalized. The chances that we could be talking about Steve Moore in the same vein right now aren’t tiny. If the League wanted to eliminate cheap shots, like head shots, they could have done so a long, long time ago. The fact that they haven’t stuck to their own rules sends a message to guys like Pronger and Bertuzzi that are predisposed to cheap shots that it’s okay. So…who do you blame?
Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from Fortress Europe on 08/18/09 at 12:40 PM ET
What blows my mind? He’s already clearly on the downslope of his career, and he’s exactly my age, 34. Yikes.
Posted by Hippy Dave from Portland by way of Detroit on 08/18/09 at 12:42 PM ET
Of the 3 free agent signings, Bert is the only one that I am even remotely excited about. He gives us a dimension that we need to take another run at the cup. Remember Jenny Malkin jumping on Hank? Well, lets see him take on someone more of his own size. Big Bert, Welcome Back to Hockeytown!
Posted by Crow from Troy, MI on 08/18/09 at 12:42 PM ET
He’s a crease guy. He’s a corners guy and he’s a worker.”
He might go to those areas on the ice, but I don’t think he fights his way through the traffic & checks like he use to 7 years ago.
Posted by Lindas1st from New England on 08/18/09 at 12:43 PM ET
avoided hitting or punishing the other team at all costs.
That’s another thing. Ever since the Moore incident, Bertuzzi’s been damaged goods mentally, too. He, rightfully so, is remorseful over what happened, but it’s like he’s let it make him terrified of ever having an edge again.
Posted by Matt Saler from Grand Rapids, MI on 08/18/09 at 12:49 PM ET
I’m still woozi about this whole thing. 
I remeber him as a slug.
But ...
I think Bertuzzi adds, if healthy, an element we need and that’s intimidation mixed with skill.
“If healthy”, it’ll make me feel a lot better. 
Posted by stonehands-78 from the beginning ... a WingsFan, on 08/18/09 at 12:49 PM ET
for all intensive purposes
I think you mean ...“to all intents & purposes”...
Sorry, just anther pet peeve.
Posted by Lindas1st from New England on 08/18/09 at 12:49 PM ET
Sorry, just anther pet peeve.
I know, Look at me.
Posted by Lindas1st from New England on 08/18/09 at 12:50 PM ET
What evidence is there that this time will be different?
What evidence do you have that he’s turned into glass?
He missed a season due to his back and has played nearly 70 games in each of the seasons since.
Posted by Garth on 08/18/09 at 12:52 PM ET
Did the unwritten rule of not using exclamation points get tossed out when the Hasek was swabbed stem to stern this summer?
Signing Bert isn’t a huge gamble here other than health-injury.
Known quantities with Willy and Bert…. let’s hope the diamond in the rough in Eaves comes through.
So we’ll roll in to training camp and have a little healthy competition up front, I guess that’s one bright spot from picking up the used baggage over the last couple weeks.
Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 08/18/09 at 12:54 PM ET
On it’s face, I don’t like it.
If he’s remotely healthy and can deal some dirt back to the cheap-shot artists, then so be it. I’ll always view him as a POS (although not even remotely in sasquatch territory) but he’ll be our POS, I guess.
IKWT.
Posted by TeamDub from The gratch. on 08/18/09 at 12:56 PM ET
Ever since the Moore incident, Bertuzzi’s been damaged goods mentally, too. He, rightfully so, is remorseful over what happened, but it’s like he’s let it make him terrified of ever having an edge again.
That’s exactly why I don’t want him. He’s forgiven for the Moore incident. He’s forgiven for being a jackass prior to that. But if he’s gonna play for the Wings, I want that edge he used to have. Not some sissified hulk who’s afraid to be aggressive even toward the net for fear of hurting someone. I’ve not seen that since his suspension, and that’s what makes him useless.
Posted by Nate A from Detroit-ish on 08/18/09 at 12:57 PM ET
He’s already clearly on the downslope of his career, and he’s exactly my age, 34.
Don’t think we haven’t noticed that you’re on the downslope too, Dave.
I wouldn’t expect a contract offer next year…
Posted by Garth on 08/18/09 at 12:58 PM ET
Bert is not the Bert of years ago. That is why he’s making $1.5 for one year. I like the depth this signing gives us. No longer will we have to endure Meech as #12. Gives us a bit of grit, and I like ‘Tuzzi’s chances of staying healthy playing 3d / 4th line minutes rather than Line 2 Minutes he got in Calgary. He can help take some of Homer’s workload (hopefully) and if we’re lucky, he’ll keep the penalties to a minimum. The playoffs showed we could use an “enforcer” type, especially for the last couple of minutes. Who was going to give Sloth the concussion he deserved after an unpenalized tomahawk on Z?
Plus, look at the best part of all this: He’s not Jason Williams. Oh wait… ugh.
...is it October yet?
Posted by CaptNorris5 from The Winged Wheel, stuck in Chicago on 08/18/09 at 01:00 PM ET
I brought this out last time he came to Detroit, so I may as well do it again:
http://www.heavyeric.com/todd_bertuzzi.htm
Best song. Ever.
Posted by DetCapC19 from Vancouver, BC on 08/18/09 at 01:02 PM ET
I’ll always view him as a POS (although not even remotely in sasquatch territory) but he’ll be our POS, I guess.
IKWT.
Posted by TeamDub from The gratch. on 08/18/09 at 01:56 PM ET
Works for me.
I like it. I like that he’s mean and I like that he’s hated. Even if that means he’s hated in Hockeytown?
Yep. I can deal with that too.
I’m right there with you, Chief. When’s the last time a Red Wing was actually feared? Sure there’s the injury bug speculation. But tell that to Cabbie Slapper or the $7+ mil ginger on Chicago that when they’re peeling themselves off of the boards.
Now go get Hossa, Bert. And get him good. Sharp too, Lidstrom’s nuts will thank you.
Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 08/18/09 at 01:02 PM ET
I think you mean ...“to all intents & purposes”…
Sorry, just anther pet peeve.
dude…you’re like an assistant captain or something…
My vote: In favor, conditional. I’ll be rooting for him to succeed like I do all the Wings and also because it would be great to see him become a quality player again.
Franzen and Cleary are quality substitutes for Homer but Demolition Man has no peers. I certainly don’t see Bert replacing his net front *skill* (tipping, mirroring the goalies movements), but maybe his size will make up for that.
I don’t know anything anymore; I need to see some on ice play.
p.s. Chief, great podcast. Ish was hilarious.
Posted by Osrt on 08/18/09 at 01:03 PM ET
think you mean ...“to all intents & purposes”…
Sorry, just anther pet peeve.
Noted, Hemingway
Posted by bababooey on 08/18/09 at 01:05 PM ET
70 games in each of the seasons since.
Is 70 games a fill season? No. What was his status in all those games? 100% or anything approaching that? The consensus seems to be no. That’s with him playing a much more tentative game than all the optimists have picked out for him to play.
Posted by Matt Saler from Grand Rapids, MI on 08/18/09 at 01:06 PM ET
Don’t think we haven’t noticed that you’re on the downslope too, Dave.
I wouldn’t expect a contract offer next year…Posted by Garth on 08/18/09 at 01:58 PM ET
Hey man, like a fine cheese I only get funkier with age.
Posted by Hippy Dave from Portland by way of Detroit on 08/18/09 at 01:09 PM ET
The writer of the column loses credibility when he says “he’s not a “perimiter” player now. He’s a crease guy. He’s a corners guy and he’s a worker”
.....and “Twenty tough goals, gritty goals. If he’s healthy it’s a big, psychopathic body the other teams have to concern themselves with.”
Try on better passer than a shooter now. Great moves. Smaller body. He has injuries that don’t heal….especially his back. This has changed his game. Bert doesn’t hit guys. He doesn’t go into corners. He will carry guys on his back a little like the old times, but his days of a power forward are over. And as for penalties…..the kind you will see are hooking, holding, and tripping. I like the guy at the right price, and he will bring an element of offense that is rare. But don’t overstate the case and refer to the old “power forward” BS because it isn’t there anymore.
You obviously have no idea what game Bertuzzi is playing these days. Try watching other teams once in a while.
Posted by dusty on 08/18/09 at 01:10 PM ET
Man, some of you guys think he was signed to be the new pastor at your church or that’ he’s moving in with you….he made a grave mistake in his career where his emotions got the best of him. It’s not like he ran a dog fighting ring or shot himself in the leg with a gun at the nightclub, he made a mistake that he’ll be paying for and has altered his once promising career. At $1.5mm, he is what he is, clearly he’s not the power forward he was otherwise we wouldn’t have signed him in late August. If he can find most of his game from before, or if he’s motivated ala Dallas Drake to do whatever it takes to win a Cup that has eluded him, it’ll be a fantastic deal. If he’s a washout, he’s gone next season and the Wings are probably no worse for wear anyways.
Posted by bababooey on 08/18/09 at 01:26 PM ET
Let’s see him plaster Hossa into the boards, knock that nicely repaired shoulder right out of place.
Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 08/18/09 at 01:27 PM ET
The writer of the column loses credibility when
...he started writing *posts* for a Wings *blog*?
Welcome to A2Y…tool
Posted by Osrt on 08/18/09 at 01:27 PM ET
Like it. Worried though. I have not read any postings from Baroque yet. If we lost her because of Bert I am not happy anymore.
Posted by AxeMaster9 on 08/18/09 at 01:33 PM ET
Here’s why there’s no reason to hate either the Williams move or the Bertuzzi move—
If Williams is a sissy and plays like a girl and whines when Babcock whips him, they can just cut him loose. He’s on a one year deal that’s under $2 million, so if the worst happens with him, little harm is done.
If Bertuzzi is injury prone or doesn’t produce, they can either put him on LTIR (if he’s injured) or just cut him loose. He’s on a one year deal that’s under $2 million, so if the worst happens with him, little harm is done.
And then where do we end up? Right where most of us wanted them to be—playing the kids.
And if Williams and Bert play well and exceed expectations, than even better, because the organization ends up 2 veteran players deeper and tougher than it was before.
Both moves are very, very, very low risk.
Posted by Nathan from the scoresheet! on 08/18/09 at 01:34 PM ET
The writer of the column loses credibility when
...about 13 PBRs deep, he used the word “bitches” one to many times.
...during the third overtime of Game 5 of the 2008 SCF, he literally drowned a bag full of puppies.
...he forcibly tea-bagged the douche canoe in a public place.
Posted by CaptNorris5 from The Winged Wheel, stuck in Chicago on 08/18/09 at 01:35 PM ET
Is 70 games a fill season?
No, it isn’t. But 80% and tell me this: did Henrik Zetterberg, Johan Franzen on Marian Hossa play full seasons?
Yet Detroit gave Zetterberg and Franzen decade+ deals and offered a big time deal to Hossa.
Is it the same thing? No, of course not, but he got a one year contract for $1.5M
The consensus seems to be no.
Well, the consensus (whichever consensus you’re talking about, since there seems to be a lot of dissent for it to be considered a consensus) is ignoring that he’s been getting .66 points per game the last two years compared to the fact that in his entire career he’s a .72 points per game player.
WOW, what a tumble!
Posted by Garth on 08/18/09 at 01:37 PM ET
Waaah, I only have something to say in response to other people’s typos and never share or attempt to back up my own opinions because I know that if I do then people will instantly recognize what a fraud I am. I’m so unique and different from everybody else, even people with whom I have things in common. This is all because my mommy tells me every day what a special little prince I am. Of course, she doesn’t know anything. Gosh, being 14 is the hardest thing anybody has ever had to go through in their entire lives. You sheeple have no idea how it feels!
Posted by Alexselfcutter from the basement, listening to My Chemical Romance on 08/18/09 at 01:39 PM ET
This summer has sucked ass.
Posted by Bella on 08/18/09 at 02:17 PM ET
Bella, ever the succinct opiner. Ditto.
I’m still pouting over “Golden Boy” hoisting the cup in our friggin barn, I am certain I am scarred for life.
Summer of Ken this is not. Fuch. At least I don’t have to hazard who will likely become the whipping boy now that William Tell is gone. Egad.
Just a warning, I’ll be back with my worthless two-cents before camp in T.C.
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 08/18/09 at 01:39 PM ET
Remember last year that Iron Mike was giving all the credit to the Flame’s suddenly hot PP to the play of Big Bert. He had an awesome stretch of about seven weeks, and then fell off the face of the earth.
What happened?
I never rule out how much damage Keenan can do in a short amount of time. With someone as emotionally pliable as Bertuzzi (since the Moore incident), a coach like Keenan could have been about the worst fit possible.
I’m not keeping my fingers crossed that Bert will be anything more than a sometimes-injured utility player this year. But he did show enough flashes of inspired and effective play last year that I’m not about to give up on him already.
Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste Marie on 08/18/09 at 01:50 PM ET
Summer of Ken this is not.
Here’s hoping we feel much differently in 43 more Tuesdays.
Posted by CaptNorris5 from The Winged Wheel, stuck in Chicago on 08/18/09 at 01:53 PM ET
Moore laid a very similar from-behind hit on Naslund earlier in the game.
Andrew, you are re-writing history there. The issue was a hit that he made on Naslund the previous game that the Canucks had played the Dive. Naslund ended up with a concussion and the Canucks thought it was a dirty hit. The league did not penalize Moore at the time of the hit or after. It was not a similar hit to what Bertuzzi did.
I am now stepping out of this debate. I’ve said my piece and I know it is not the popular one but it is how I feel. I think this is a huge mistake and I sure hope to heck that I’m wrong.
Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 08/18/09 at 02:02 PM ET
Good Luck with all that D,
back passes to no one, (parts of the crowd would start chanting pack pass as he came across the blue line), and that’s if he made it past the blue line without his usual nuteral ice turnover. And if you looking for a physical presence, you got the wrong Bert, he very rarely was throwing his body around.
To sum it up, I hate the Flames with a passion, but I loved that Bert was on the team and I will be sad to see him go, he was my favorite Flame, always there to help them lose.
Have Fun with Him.
Posted by Roboshow from Calgary on 08/18/09 at 02:04 PM ET
Add a Comment
Please limit embedded image or media size to 575 pixels wide.
Add your own avatar by joining Kukla's Korner, or logging in and uploading one in your member control panel.
Captchas bug you? Join KK or log in and you won't have to bother.
Commenting is not available in this weblog entry.
Most Recent Blog Posts
GDT - Game #56: Red Wings host Ducks (7:30)
GDT - Game #55: Red Wings host Oilers (7:30)
The F Stands For Finger And The Finger Could Really ______ Us All
GDT - Game #54: Red Wings at Coyotes (8:00)
So Far 4 In 2, Why Not 6 in 3?
About Abel to Yzerman
Welcome to Abel to Yzerman, a Red Wing blog since 1977. No other site on the internet has better-researched, fact-laden and better prepared discussions than A2Y. Re-phrase: we do little research, find facts and stats highly overrated and claim little to no preparation. There are 19 readers of A2Y. No more, no less. All of them, except maybe one, are juvenile in nature. Reminding them of that in the comment section will only encourage them to prove that. Your suggestions and critiques are welcome: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
When learning from experts it’s best to learn personally from them, or from their blog. We can provide that with poker lessons blog, your home to learn poker personally.
Do you get shocked from the luck in the game of poker? Stop getting shocked and start being a Poker Shoker
Get the top online sports betting bonuses available to sports betters!
Do the Todd Bertuzzi !!
He’s a rock & ruzzi !!
Posted by Lindas1st from New England on 08/18/09 at 12:24 PM ET