Ducks Sign Bertuzzi to Two-Year Deal

[Thrillhouse]

ANAHEIM, Calif. – The Anaheim Ducks announced today that the National Hockey League (NHL) club has signed right wing Todd Bertuzzi to a two-year contract.

“Todd Bertuzzi is a hard-nosed, physical player and a proven goal-scorer,” said Anaheim Ducks Executive Vice President/General Manager Brian Burke. “Adding another imposing presence to our lineup with scoring touch is something we could not pass up.”

Bertuzzi, 32 (2/2/75), has played in 725 NHL games, scoring 226-314=540 points. The 6-3, 242-pound forward has scored 25-or-more goals on four occasions, including a career-high 46-51=97 points in 2002-2003. A two-time NHL All-Star and member of the Gold Medal-winning Canadian squad at the 2006 Winter Olympics, Bertuzzi spent the majority of his career with the Vancouver Canucks (1997-2006) before playing with Florida and Detroit last season.

In 2005-2006, Bertuzzi played all 82 games with Vancouver, scoring 25-46=71 points with 120 penalty minutes. He was traded to Florida with Bryan Allen and Alex Auld in exchange for Roberto Luongo, Lukas Krajicek and Florida’s sixth-round draft pick in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft on June 23, 2006. He missed the majority of last season with a back injury, playing in seven games with the Panthers (1-6=7 points) before being acquired by the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for Shawn Matthias and two conditional draft picks on Feb. 27, 2007. He played eight regular season games with Detroit (2-2=4 points) and added 3-4=7 points in 16 playoff contests.

A native of Sudbury, Ontario, Bertuzzi was drafted by the New York Islanders in the first round (23rd overall) of the 1993 NHL Entry Draft. He was acquired by Vancouver from the Islanders with Bryan McCabe and a third-round draft pick in the1998 Entry Draft in exchange for Trevor Linden on Feb. 6, 1998. He was selected as a First Team All Star in 2003 and played in the NHL All-Star Game in 2003 and 2004.

[R.Middleton]

My Coyotes winning the division dreams are completely destroyed. i wonder how much money he got.

[Isles4life]

I guess he fits with the physical style of the Ducks. It's too bad he's a grumpy prick. But if he's healthy I think he'll provide them with some good offensive production.

[skacore]

Red Wings will keep their 2008 (I think) 2nd rounder since he didn't sign with them

[drwdan19]

Well, there goes our only 2-3 fights this season. Balls.

[Snipes19]

Even though I hate Todd Bertuzzi (just like every other fan) he does fit the style of Anaheim Ducks hockey pretty nicely. He's a big, mean, and tough guy to go along with their physical style of play. They are building up quite a core of big and physical forwards with Bertuzzi, Penner, Getzlaf, Perry, and Kunitz. This is a tough team and they keep adding the right guys to go along with their hitting and banging style of play. However, on the down-side, now I can't watch Pronger mug Todd Bertuzzi in front of the net anymore since they're on the same team now.

[Colt Seavers]

Great. Whatever toughness we did have just went to Cali. Fabulous. Watch him fully recover and light the lamp for the Ducks-and even add some FM's. Are there any other Wings players Anaheim may be interested in? Damn-our Fighting majors just went from a league low 10 to a potential league leading 5!

[gauros]

Well we see that the ducks GM is going for a physical team this year too. Bertuzzi is a very good 4th liner and the Ducks needed a player like him as they will not dress Parros every game.

[HordiBrusk29]

Originally Posted by gauros

Well we see that the ducks GM is going for a physical team this year too. Bertuzzi is a very good 4th liner and the Ducks needed a player like him as they will not dress Parros every game.

Bertuzzi isn't a 4th line player...

[gauros]

Originally Posted by HordiBrusk29

Bertuzzi isn't a 4th line player...

Well he will play 4th line in the Ducks, as they will not split their first 3 lines, so he is a 4th liner in the Ducks team

[swhite]

If Bertuzzi can stay healthy this will be an excellent move for the Ducks. Does anyone know what the contract is worth?

[HordiBrusk29]

Originally Posted by gauros

Well he will play 4th line in the Ducks, as they will not split their first 3 lines, so he is a 4th liner in the Ducks team

No he won't be. Bertuzzi is likely a top six forward even on a team like the Ducks.

[skacore]

Originally Posted by gauros

Well he will play 4th line in the Ducks, as they will not split their first 3 lines, so he is a 4th liner in the Ducks team

not gonna happen

[Fletch]

Originally Posted by gauros

Well he will play 4th line in the Ducks, as they will not split their first 3 lines, so he is a 4th liner in the Ducks team

You think the Ducks signed a player of the caliber (& salary) of Todd Bertuzzi to put him on the 4th line? He'll be squeezed in the top two lines.

[gauros]

Originally Posted by HordiBrusk29

No he won't be. Bertuzzi is likely a top six forward even on a team like the Ducks.

So you telling me that they will split up the PPG line or their checking line, i personally do not think so, he might play 1st line if Selanne retires.