Tyler Bertuzzi had a solid role with the Toronto Maple Leafs last season, so why did he leave to sign a four-year, $22 million contract with the Chicago Blackhawks?
From the outside looking in, the Blackhawks are not the most desirable destination for a veteran forward like Bertuzzi due to the fact that the team is still rebuilding and likely won’t compete for the playoffs this year.
However, Bertuzzi sees the Blackhawks in a different light and he wants to be a part of what the organization is building.
“A young team that’s hungry and looking to try and slowly build something,” Bertuzzi said. “I went through it with Detroit. Hopefully here I can stick it out and be here for the turnaround. It was an opportunity to play, play with good players.”
Bertuzzi left a team that was surely set to be a playoff contender, for one that still has ways to go before they reach that point.
The 29-year-old is looking at the bigger picture as the future is bright in Chicago.
Now, he will have an opportunity to play with Connor Bedard who is well on his way to becoming the face of the NHL one day.
Bedard has the potential to take the Blackhawks to new heights and eventually transform the team into Stanley Cup contenders and Bertuzzi wants to be with this young core throughout the entire journey and really experience the buildup.
Bertuzzi will help lay the groundwork for steady improvement and is set to be an instrumental piece for the future.
