Since forward Tyler Bertuzzi is a pending free agent and reportedly has a contract with the Chicago Blackhawks, the Toronto Maple Leafs will need to find a replacement.
Former NHL and Maple Leafs player Jay Rosehill claims that Bertuzzi will sign a contract on July 1 at 12 p.m. ET, when free agency opens.
On July 1, Rosehill posted on X, “I’m hearing Tyler Bertuzzi will sign with Chicago tomorrow at Noon ET.”
The story was verified by current Leafs Morning Take director Nick Alberga, a former Sportsnet analyst, who also mentioned that Bertuzzi’s Blackhawks contract is anticipated to be a four-year agreement.
Before free agency opened on July 1, Alberga wrote, “Sounds like a four-year deal #Blackhawks.”
On July 2, 2023, Bertuzzi agreed to a one-year, $5.5 million contract with the Maple Leafs. There was interest in an extension at the end of the season from both parties, but the forward was good enough to demand a trade out of Toronto.
The forward for the Leafs will depart Canada having played 80 games during the regular season. In seven postseason games, he added one goal and three assists for a total of four points. In Toronto, he scored 21 goals and 22 assists for 43 points.
Tyler Bertuzzi Put Himself Above the Reach of the Maple Leafs
After spending one season with the Maple Leafs, Bertuzzi announced late on June 30 that he would not be re-signing with the team, according to Darren Dreger of TSN, one day before the free-agent market opens.
The Maple Leafs will not be getting Tyler Bertuzzi back. His worth has surpassed Toronto’s price. In four years, he will sign a deal somewhere else for over $5 million per territory.
“The Maple Leafs will not be getting Tyler Bertuzzi back.” His worth has surpassed Toronto’s price. In the next four years, he will sign a deal somewhere else for over $5 million per territory, according to Dreger.
Dreger’s report coincides with the most recent information regarding the specifics of the contract, even though it was released hours before the two that declared the Blackhawks the winner of the Bertuzzi sweepstakes.
After spending 2023–24 playing a bridge season in Toronto, Bertuzzi was eventually signed to a four-year contract.
Bertuzzi and Maple Leafs: Similar Interests, But No Possible Reunion
Bertuzzi and the Leafs had a shared interest in continuing their collaboration. In his May end-of-season interview, Bertuzzi affirmed it.
Resigning in Toronto, according to Tyler Bertuzzi, is “definitely something I’m open to.”
According to David Alter of The Hockey News, Bertuzzi stated, “That’s definitely something I’m open to,” on May 7. This year, I had a great time. It’s difficult to move to a new place, especially Toronto. On the ice, it took me a little while to get going. However, the guys were awesome off the ice. Everything was excellent. My family and I had a great time during our stay here.
The Maple Leafs were forced to select between their two pending free agents for the position, which was a difficult decision. On June 30, the team decided to re-sign Max Domi and made him an offer for a four-year contract.
With Bertuzzi no longer with the team and Domi and fellow Leaf Timothy Liljegren back under contract, Toronto will have $12 million in cap space as of July 1.
Eleven forwards in Toronto are under contract. Additionally, they have six defensemen on their active roster. Following the signing of Chris Tanev, they will bolster their blueline corps with a seventh defender.
Lastly, with Martin Jones and Ilya Samsonov becoming unrestricted free agents and only Joseph Woll signed for the upcoming campaign, the Maple Leafs will also need to add a goalie.
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