Tyler Bertuzzi could be the biggest offseason add for Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks had a big offseason, but of all the team’s moves, Tyler Bertuzzi could have the biggest impact on the future of the team.

Bertuzzi, 29, signed with the Blackhawks on July 1. His $22 million contract carries a $5.5 million cap hit for the next four seasons, making him the longest signed forward in the organization.

Signing Bertuzzi was significant for the Blackhawks. Bertuzzi has spent the last few seasons chasing the last two seasons chasing championships on good teams. After playing his first 305 NHL games with the Detroit Red Wings over the course of seven seasons, he was traded to Boston at the deadline to contend for the Stanley Cup. Now after signing with Toronto last season, Bertuzzi chose to come to Chicago.

As an outsider coming in, Bertuzzi knows Chicago has been a young team. He is excited to help build a new team identity, one ready to work night in and night out.

“Go out and work our hardest do what we can our best out there,” Bertuzzi said while speaking with the media on Friday. “Work every shift and play hard every night and, no matter what the outcome, we gave it 100 percent.”

Bertuzzi is every general managers favorite type of player for the playoffs. He grinds every shift and isn’t afraid to go to the dirty areas to score goals, plus he is skilled, just a few years ago in 2021-22 Bertuzzi put up 62 points in 68 games with the Red Wings – including a career high 30 goals.

The Blackhawks are hoping to unlock Bertuzzi’s offensive prowess this season with a big role on the top line. While he was just one of a supporting cast last year in Toronto, Bertuzzi has an opportunity to be one of the faces of what Chicago is building right now.

To start training camp, Bertuzzi has been on a line alongside Connor Bedard and Taylor Hall. While it is still early, Bertuzzi has enjoyed working with Bedard to start camp.

“Obviously, he is a very skilled, special player,” Bertuzzi said. “I’m look forward to going through camp with him right now. We’ll see where things go, but yeah, it feels good.”

Playing on a line with Bedard will only make Bertuzzi more of an electric player this upcoming season. The pair fit well together, with Bedard’s playmaking ability and Bertuzzi’s willingness to play physical.

If all goes well, Tyler Bertuzzi’s signing in Chicago could be looked back on as one of the best signings of the Kyle Davidson era.

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