The Chicago Blackhawks had some doubters after signing Tyler Bertuzzi to a $5.5 million four-year in 2024.
On July 1, 2024, the first day of free agency, the Chicago Blackhawks signed grizzled vet Tyler Bertuzzi to a $5.5 million contract for four seasons. At the time, the contract was a head-scratcher, and I saw it as a way to meet the salary cap floor until the young guys signed their bridge deals. I saw good in his game, one that the projected bottom-six guys could copy: gritty, relentless, a human backboard, a solid stick, and solid defensive play as well.