Help is on the way, and the Detroit Red Wings certainly need it. Forward Tyler Bertuzzi is expected to make his return to the lineup Tuesday as the Red Wings host the Winnipeg Jets.
Bertuzzi has been sidelined for a couple of months with a broken left hand that required surgery. The gritty forward missed 16 games during his latest stint on the Injured Reserve list. Bertuzzi missed 13 games earlier in the season due to a broken right hand, but that injury did not require surgery.
In nine games this season, the soon-to-be 28-year-old forward has notched one goal and four points.
The Detroit Red Wings will get a much-needed boost as they anticipate the return of Tyler Bertuzzi.
Bertuzzi is expected to rejoin captain Dylan Larkin on Detroit’s top line opposite second-year winger Lucas Raymond. Still, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Lalonde ease the veteran winger back into the lineup. Michael Rasmussen performed exceptionally well filling in on Detroit’s top unit with Larkin and may continue to see opportunities from time to time when Lalonde is looking to create a spark.
Derek Lalonde on Bertuzzi’s return;
"“It has to be frustrating for him, just in the way he went down,” Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde said. “Literally four periods in he goes down, he comes back, gets a few games under his belt, is trying to get some rhythm going, he goes down again. But that’s behind him. He’s looked great in the last three, four, five practices, and now hopefully it translates into tomorrow’s game.”"
On Sunday, the Detroit Red Wings assigned rookie forward Elmer Soderblom to the Grand Rapids Griffins. It’s undoubtedly a difficult decision with how well the 6-foot-8 forward has played this season, primarily skating as a fourth-line winger.
#RedWings have assigned Elmer Soderblom to the @griffinshockey. Tyler Bertuzzi and Filip Zadina are due back soon from injuries and the team will need a couple of roster spots.
— Ansar Khan (@AnsarKhanMLive) January 8, 2023
Although tough, the decision to send Soderblom down isn’t the worst thing. Soderblom could use some time, and more playing time to round out his game, especially in the defensive zone.
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The Detroit Red Wings are also expected to get Filip Zadina back soon. Lalonde mentioned that the Zadina is considered week-to-week but is eying a return sometime around Detroit’s January 16th three-game road trip. Zadina has been practicing with the team over the past couple of weeks with a none contact jersey.