Detroit Red Wings forward Todd Bertuzzi to get 2-year extension

[steve6884]

I wasnt thrilled when we signed him the first time but he has really turned in to a great pickup

http://www.freep.com/article/2012022...yssey=nav|head

The Detroit Red Wings will announce a two-year extension for forward Todd Bertuzzi as early as Thursday,

Bertuzzi's agent, Pat Morris, told the Free Press today that "we're working at it, and getting closer." The sides have been talking for the past month.

Bertuzzi, 37, is in the last of a two-year deal that's averaged $1,937,500. His new deal is for closer to $2.2 million a season, and is backloaded.

General manager Ken Holland told the Free Press last month that "I think Bert's been great all season." The Wings like how Bertuzzi has developed into a two-way player, and how he helped get the first line going after being put with Pavel Datsyuk and Johan Franzen on Nov. 17, in the game against Los Angeles. Bertuzzi has 12 goals and is plus-21 in 54 games this season.

The Wings first acquired Bertuzzi in March of '07 at the trade deadline. He signed with Anaheim that summer after becoming an unrestricted free agent, but came back to Detroit two years later. The Wings like the size he brings (6-foot3, 200-plus pounds) and that he's accepted being a net-front guy and integrating defensive hockey into his game.

"He's embraced everything we're about," Holland said.

Contact Helene St. James: 313-222-2295 or hstjames@freepress.com.

[JB61973]

12 goals playing on a line with Datsyuk. I don;'t get it.

[tommyz]

12 goals playing on a line with Datsyuk. I don;'t get it.

If you cant see his contribution to this team, then there is no talking to you about this really. With that said, I do beileve 2.2 is a tad high

[JB61973]

If you cant see his contribution to this team, then there is no talking to you about this really. With that said, I do beileve 2.2 is a tad high

i think you could plug in any number of wingers on that line and get equal or more production. If you think 12 goals playing on that line and getting all the ice time he gets is good then you have real low expectations.

[LionSB06]

12 goals isn't great but he does a very good job on that line bringing more than just goals. I agree with tommyz that the pay is a little high for him and I worry what he is going to really look like at 39 in the last year of this deal but I have really enjoyed the way he has played this season for them and he seems to have changed his game to fit the system.

[The Wacko]

Must be the 4 shootout wins he gets them every year.

[Scott37189]

If you cant see his contribution to this team, then there is no talking to you about this really. With that said, I do beileve 2.2 is a tad high

Agreed, but I'm more concerned about the TWO year deal. At this point it should be year-by-year w/ Bertuzzi, IMO.

[MoOff24]

Gross. No reason for it to be two years.

[GaryAngel]

While I agree the number is a bit high for production. He is probably also in a sense Dats body guard I'll bet. He is also good for the kids on the team, to see a guy like Bert come in and change his game to fit and play in all situations, shows them the way here. Kind of like chelios in his last 3or 4 years. It was more I think fr mentoring is why he was brought back. JMHO. Also ever notice how a lot of guys like Bert tend to stay here after their careers with the wings?