The Trade DET 2024 First-Round Pick 2025 Fourth-Round pick 50% of Bertuzzi's contract BOS Tyler Bertuzzi This has been the craziest Trade...

The Trade

DET

BOS

This has been the craziest Trade Deadline in NHL history. Many have referred to this deadline as an "arms race" in the Eastern Conference,

with Boston, New York, Tampa Bay, Carolina, and Toronto aggressively upgrading their rosters to pursue the Stanley Cup. The injuries of Nick Foligno and Taylor Hall allowed the Bruins to circumvent the NHL's salary cap, placing Hall on LTIR to allow for more cap space. With their recently added cap space, the Bruins acquired star winger Tyler Bertuzzi from the Red Wings. Bertuzzi is a fast, energetic winger who relentlessly pursues the puck on the forecheck. The 28-year-old Bertuzzi has made a name for himself as one of the biggest pests in the NHL, often getting under the opponents' skin and drawing a lot of penalties. During the 2021-2022 season, Bertuzzi evaluated his game and became a breakout star scoring 30 goals for the Red Wings just a season ago. Unfortunately, Bertuzzi has been battling injuries this year and has only played in 29 games for Detroit, but when healthy, Bertuzzi is a dynamic player in this league. On Saturday, Bertuzzi made his Bruins debut playing alongside Charlie Coyle and Trent Frederic. He immediately made an impact by setting up Charlie Coyle for the game's first goal.

Once the playoffs begin, the salary cap is moot. The Bruins will be allowed to bring Hall off LTIR and he is expected to play alongside Coyle and Bertuzzi. At full strength, the Bruins are unstoppable but injuries happen, especially come playoff time. Last season, both Hampus Lindholm and Charlie McAvoy were injured in the first round against the Hurricanes. Bertuzzi provides the Bruins injury assurance if Hall is unable to return or one of the Bruins top six forwards gets hurt.

Historically speaking, the Bruins are not fans of rentals. Like Orlov and Hathaway, Bertuzzi is an upcoming Unrestricted Free Agent. Andy Strickland of the Athletic states, "Boston does not necessarily view Tyler Bertuzzi as a pure rental." It would be challenging to extend Bertuzzi with the salary cap implications; the Bruins have a lot of money committed to contracts beyond this season. They'd likely have to move on from players on their roster to keep Bertuzzi. However, If the Bruins want to extend Bertuzzi, they will find ways to get it done. His style of play fits perfectly with the Bruins. It will be interesting to see how Bertuzzi's future with the Bruins plays out, but for now, the mission is to win the Stanley Cup.

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