The Chicago Blackhawks have made dramatic improvements to their top six recently.
Since pricing himself out of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and proving himself to be a valuable forward in the latter half of 2023-2024, Tyler Bertuzzi found a new home in Chicago.
Coincidentally, the recruiter was Nick Foligno, also a former Maple Leafs prior to his arrival in Chicago via Boston.
<< Tyler Bertuzzi said “Chicago wasn’t really on my radar” going into NHL free agency, but Nick Foligno called him to tell him the Blackhawks were interested in him and things developed from there. #Blackhawks >>
Tyler Bertuzzi said “Chicago wasn’t really on my radar” going into NHL free agency, but Nick Foligno called him to tell him the Blackhawks were interested in him and things developed from there. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/IGyjy6VRv3
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) July 5, 2024
One has to think of how many people Foligno knows, as he’s been in the league since 2009 and has enough pull to find a means of contacting Bertuzzi. But he sold him on the situation in Chicago and undoubtedly Connor Bedard was part of the conversation, along with the potential to be in the top-six.
On July 1st, 2024 GM Kyle Davidson locked down Bertuzzi to a 4-year, $5.5 Million AAV contract, which was reported to be the value Bertuzzi was after in Toronto, but Treliving couldn’t deliver.
Bertuzzi finished the 2023-2024 season with 43 points( 21 G, 22 A) in 80 games with the Maple Leafs.
Instead of Auston Matthews, he will be Centered by Connor Bedard and be the gritty player the top line needs and a protector for Bedard.