I don’t know that it means anything for on-ice performance, but mentally, this is clearly a guy that’s in a better, stronger place than where he was in his first go-round with the Wings. Even if his production is only around last season’s level, if he has this positive, always-moving-forward, working hard kind of attitude, he should be a plus for the Wings.

Posted by Nathan from Jonny Ericsson's ice cream truck on 09/03/09 at 07:03 AM ET

So he took weight off to get down to 225.  Great.

So much for that big body he was supposed to bring, his signing now just became even more pointless.  Pretty sure he’s been upwards of 250 before, and he’s still listed as 245 in most places.  That’s a big difference, from 245 to 225.

To give everyone an idea of what that means, Justin Abdelkader and Brad Stuart are listed at 215, and Lilja listed at 230.  Franzen’s at about 220.  For crying out loud, Danny Cleary is listed at 210.

225 sounds like a disaster waiting to happen with him unless he can improve his skating/finesse game somehow.  Which is not what he was brought in for.

Super.

Posted by Primis on 09/03/09 at 07:44 AM ET

So 6’3, 225 lbs is too small for you Primis?  Seriously?

Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 09/03/09 at 08:18 AM ET

So 6’3, 225 lbs is too small for you Primis?  Seriously?

I’m not the one that’s BEEN clamoring for a bigger body out there.

However, I also know that upon the news defenders of the Bertuzzi signing have been citing how nice it would be to have another bigger body out there, presumably in front of opposing goalies.

I’m sorry, but if he took 20-25 lbs off, he’s not going to be nearly as effective in that role, and he’s also now not really much bigger than anyone else on the Wings.  He won’t even be as effective in that role as his first trip here (which wasn’t very effective).  So I still completely fail to see the point them in signing him and then having him slim down over the summer.

Now it might be true that, like Nathan says, he’s finally figured out some of the mess in his head.  And that’s fine.  Maybe that will help him some.

But I doubt it.  This signing was a mistake, and this is an example of why.

Posted by Primis on 09/03/09 at 08:55 AM ET

Hey moore00, I lost 20-25 lbs since December, do I look smaller and less effective?

Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 09/03/09 at 09:49 AM ET

If you are talking about your sumo wrestling skills, then yes.

Posted by moore00 from the Ohio State University on 09/03/09 at 09:52 AM ET

Primis,

Last winter I worked out with Abdelkader quite often, there is no possible way he is 215. 

Not a chance in hell.  These hockey players weights are simply not true. 

225 is a perfect playing weight for a big guy.  That is BIG.  He’ll get some of that quickness that he had back. 

That is a good thing that shows he’s getting ready for a big season in his career.

Posted by moore00 from the Ohio State University on 09/03/09 at 09:55 AM ET

...if he has this positive, always-moving-forward, working hard kind of attitude, he should be a plus for the Wings.

And the fact that Kenny signed him would indicte that the Wings feel that’s exactly where Bert’s head is at these days. Tick Tock knows people as well as hockey and, if he’s satisfied with Bert, then I think we should be too.

As for his weight, I think there’s a difference between the number of pounds and the fitness level of a player. On his last go-round, when Bert was about 240 lbs., I don’t think he was particularly fit. If he’s added muscle as he’s dropped the weight this summer, he’s probably more dangerous around the net now than he was before. I guess we’ll find out in less than two weeks when they play their first preseason game.

And how cool is it to say something like “...in less than two weeks when they play their first preseason game.” But still, it can’t get here fast enough for me.

Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 09/03/09 at 11:04 AM ET

Everyone was expecting too much from Bertuzzi.

History tells us that it takes about a season and a half for a player to reclaim his game after back
surgery or major knee surgery.  Even Yzerman was a step slower for that long after his surgeries.

Bert’s dismal performance the first time with the Wings should have been expected.  Personally, I think he would have remained a Wing the first time around but for the Salary Cap and the ridiculous contracts he was offered as a UFA.

Posted by HockeyTownTodd from upset when blogs don’t live up to my expectations on 09/03/09 at 01:11 PM ET