Inside the Article:
Heading into the 2022-23 season, Detroit Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde, along with everybody else in the organization, was counting on F Tyler Bertuzzi to score at least 30 goals, while being one of the team’s best threats on offense. Unfortunately, that has not been the case as Bertuzzi has missed chunks of games because of injuries, and when he has played, he has struggled. On Thursday, Lalonde called out Bertuzzi while he was speaking to reporters.
Why it Matters
When you have a 27-year-old player coming off a 30-goal season, you expect him to at least match that total again the next season. That is exactly what the Red Wings have in Bertuzzi, but he has been injured or not himself so far during the 2022-23 season.
- Bertuzzi has been injured three times
- He has played in just 16 games so far this season
- Bertuzzi has scored just one goal in those 16 games
Derek Lalonde calls out Tyler Bertuzzi
On Thursday, prior to the Red Wings game against the Montreal Canadiens, Lalonde spoke to reporters and what he said is something you don’t often hear from a head coach when they are speaking about one of their players.
“He’s got such a good stick,” Lalonde said. “But he leads us in turnovers in all three zones, and I just think that’s the pace being on top of him. If he gets in his rhythm, those get limited. It’s been a tough go for him. I don’t think it will take him long to get to that 30-goal form, but he needs to get some reps and rhythms.
“I like him with Larks and (Lucas) Raymond, I think all three like playing with each other, and like the chemistry. But Bert gets in there and that chemistry and rhythm get lost with his inability to manage the puck.”
Bottom Line
The way Bertuzzi is currently playing, it is very difficult to see the Red Wings signing him to a long-term contract extension. With the NHL trade deadline quickly approaching, I would expect that Yzerman will do what he can to trade Bertuzzi to the highest bidder.
