Flames Sign Todd Bertuzzi

[Thrillhouse]

Calgary, AB - Calgary Flames General Manager Darryl Sutter announced today the signing of free agent forward Todd Bertuzzi.

“Todd is a proven scorer with the ability to play both wings,” said Sutter. “He expressed to us that he wanted to play in Canada and that desire along with signing him to a one year deal was important to our philosophy. He wanted to play on a good team and it fit our money. Additionally, our captain, Jarome Iginla, was a strong supporter of Todd and wanted him on our team.”

Bertuzzi, a native of Sudbury, ON, has amassed 793 games over the course of his 12 seasons in the NHL. During that period, the 6’3”, 231lb forward has accumulated 580 points from 240 goals and 340 assists. Last season with the Anaheim Ducks, Bertuzzi recorded 40 points, including 14 goals in 68 games. He has recorded 50-plus points in six of his last eight seasons including a 97 point performance in the 2002-03 campaign. The 33 year old has played in at least 68 games in six of his last eight seasons.

Originally drafted by the NY Islanders in the first round, 23rd overall, in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft, Bertuzzi has been chosen twice to play in the NHL All-Star Game (2003 and 2004) and was named to the NHL First All-Star Team in 2003. He has twice represented Canada and the World Championships (1998 and 2000) and also wore Canada’s colors at the 2006 Olympic Games.

Todd and his wife Julie have two children: daughter, Jaden (8) and son, Tag (6).

[Cat Smasher]

Should take Nolans spot eh.

[jkidd]

YES!

I love seeing Bert back in the NW!

Should add a ton of jet fuel to the already intense Minnesota/Calgary rivalry. Not to mention the impact he'll have against his other friends in Edmonton, or back "home" in Vancouver.

Love it!

[canuckfan]

How bizarre!

Never in a million years did I picture this happening - for Todd to come back to Canada, to be in that spotlight again, and for Sutter to sign a player with this kind of baggage, totally boggles my mind. I never thought I'd see Bertuzzi play for a Canadian club again where the media will be all over him, let alone Calgary. Flames fans hated this guy for years and years, even before the Moore incident.

But Sutter is famous for taking chances on vets considered washed up or over the hill.

Well, I WANT to wish Todd the best of luck - but he's weaing the hated flaming C now - so he's now dead to me. A bit of a gamble here by the Flamers, no doubt, but its only for a year and the potential is still there for a return to 20 goal form. And there's more than enough guys to hog the spotlight here in Calgary for Bert to MAYBE stay comfortably in the shadows.

I wonder what the fallout and reaction from the fans here will be - aside from Colorado, nobody booed him more than Flames and Wild fans.

[Thrillhouse]

Ultimately, hockey is always a business. Sutter needed some 2nd line scoring and a guy like Bertuzzi could fit and plays that tough style Sutter requires. If you can forget the past, all the hate the city has for the guy, it's probably not that bad of a signing. No doubt, there will be a lot of angry Calgarians...there already are. But Darryl isn't gonna let some previous animosity get in the way of improving his hockey club, but it'll be very hard for a lot Flames fan to accept that.

From the press release:

"Additionally, our captain, Jarome Iginla, was a strong supporter of Todd and wanted him on our team."

That's all you need to know. If there's anything between Bert and the current team, there won't be for long. Jarome is so well respected and it's not something that won't be a factor from here on out. The fans will have to judge him on his performance.

[Humpzilla]

Good pick up. No surprise that it's back in Canada.

[Colt Seavers]

He was above average when he was with Detroit, but he was being hampered by back problems also. His premiere power forward days are gone. But, I think Todd can be good for around 20 gs/50 pts. He has great hands for being a behemoth.

[Juha82]

Very good signing, always needs pointsmen who are also about strong.
He isn't all the toughest guy, but one of the toughest star.

[Thrillhouse]

1 year, $1.95 million.

I really like Sutter's offseason game plan. He went out and asked any free agents (mostly Western boys) if they'd take a discount to play in Calgary. Signed guys to cheap, shorter contracts so next year they'll still be in decent shape with the cap.

[dipandmitts]

ssswwwwwwwwwwwweeeeeeeeeeeeet!!!!!!!!!

[NJDevils17]

Northwest division is going to be very interesting next year. Bertuzzi is already hated by the Avs and Wild and I doubt the Canucks and Oilers will like him any better.

[MattBurger]

Perfect signing for the Flames. They desperately needed an impact LW to play with Langkow and Iginla on the first line. Getting Bertuzzi for less than $2 million for a year is great value. I have a feeling Bert is going to put up big numbers with all the free ice that Iginla will provide for him.

[dipandmitts]

now the flames need a heavy, vandy isnt going to cut it.

[jkidd]

Originally Posted by dipandmitts

now the flames need a heavy, vandy isnt going to cut it.

I'm shocked that they let go of Eric Godard. Iron Mike had nothing but praise for him, in picking his spots and making a physical presence in games.

There isn't much toughness left on the free agent market. Jesse Boulerice is probably the best left....

[MattBurger]

If the Flames plan on going with Prust as their enforcer, Prust better make sure that he has some good health insurance. The NW has some big boys chucking fists in that division.