Red Wings: The Latest on Tyler Bertuzzi Trade Rumors

The Detroit Red Wings apparently have a lot of interest in Tyler Bertuzzi. After fans digested the news that he was being targeted by Toronto, there’s purportedly more teams interested in his services than just Toronto. Add Los Angeles to the apparent Tyler Bertuzzi Sweepstakes:

The portion about Bertuzzi starts at the 45 second mark with Sirius XM NHL Network Radio and Fourth Period analyst Dave Pagnotta, but it now makes the plot thicken even more regarding the 26-year-old restricted free agent. If Los Angeles is interested, and boasts a lot of great talent in its system, might that entice general manager Steve Yzerman to make a deal?

Other Teams Apparently Talking to the Red Wings

The main focus in the hockey world was on Toronto’s pursuit but according to Pagnotta  this list includes LA, Philadelphia, Vancouver, St. Louis, and of course, Edmonton. (I can’t imagine what Ken Holland would be willing to give up—I mean I’m gleeful).

But this underscores a larger point, one I wrote about Sunday when it comes to the core of this team. After seeing the clip above, it made me wonder if maybe that core is going to change even more.

There is an awful lot of smoke around the league when it comes to Bertuzzi and everyone knows Yzerman won’t make a peep either way. But if in fact the Red Wings are listening and willing to move Bertuzzi, it really does mean no one on this roster is safe.

What does this mean long-term for the Red Wings?

In the latest episode of the Winged Wheel Podcast, an astute point was made about how so much went right for Tampa Bay to become the juggernaut they are now. That any Red Wing fan, who believes Yzerman can replicate that success in Detroit might need to reassess expectations. While he’ll bring success, what Tampa has achieved is absolute best case scenario.

I fully agree with this.

But not only that, as Bertuzzi’s name continues to come up in potential trade scenarios, is it possible that maybe Yzerman will not stop this until it’s overwhelmingly his guys on the roster?

It’s clear now that he really hasn’t valued much of what Holland–and specifically Tyler Wright, acquired in the draft or in free agency. Yzerman has churned through this roster after taking a season to really get a grasp on what he had in Detroit. Name or tenure with the club hasn’t mattered. As such:

Locker room leader and “grit” guy Justin Abdelkader? Bought out.

Andreas Athanasiou? Dealt

Anthony Mantha? Re-signed and then traded.

And here we all are now with Bertuzzi. Whether a deal ultimately happens is Yzerman’s prerogative, but now I’m wondering just how many Holland guys will be left once this team is turning the corner.

How safe are guys like Filip Zadina, Filip Hronek, or Michael Rasmussen?

Heck, even Dylan Larkin’s contract is up after two seasons. It seems far fetched that Yzerman would give him the C only to let him walk or even crazier, potentially trade him.

But Yzerman did trade his captain (Martin St. Louis) in Tampa Bay, albeit for entirely different reasons. He bought out the other one (Vincent Lecavalier). I want to think Larkin is a solidified member of the core, but after seeing Mantha and potentially Bertuzzi being dealt within months of one another, maybe it makes sense as to why there is no commitment to a timeline.

As one player after another is wished well through the expiration of contract or by way of trade, it certainly reveals an indictment on the previous regime, one that Yzerman apparently agrees with as he continues to reshape things–even if it includes core players.