5 seemingly unreasonable offseason moves that would make complete sense for the Red Wings

The Detroit Red Wings have no other options this year - it is, and should be playoffs or bust, considering that general manager Steve Yzerman has had so many chances to get this right. And yes, the respected executive seems as though he has the franchise on the right path, but still, missing the playoffs is missing the playoffs, and it means he needs to stay aggressive with roster and organizational transactions between now and mid-July. 

And that might mean making some moves that superficially make zero sense, but when you sit down and think about them, they make perfect sense. This is what we’re discussing today, and it encompasses free agency, trades, and even re-signing one particular player who may be on their way out. 

We’ll start things off with free agency, where Yzerman could bring back one player who once upon a time was rather serviceable in the Motor City. 

Bringing back Tyler Bertuzzi

One free agent the Red Wings should consider bringing back to the Motor City is Tyler Bertuzzi. You may remember Bertuzzi’s previous run in Detroit as following up what was a stellar 2021-22 campaign with the Red Wings when he finished the year with 30 goals and 62 points, and he also looked good playing defense when he needed to. 

That changed in 2022-23 when Bertuzzi found himself sidelined often and only put up 14 points and four goals in 29 contests before Steve Yzerman traded him to Boston, where he enjoyed more success. But following a 43-point, 21-goal season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, again with a solid defensive effort, bringing back someone like Bertuzzi and entrenching him in the middle-six or even the lower lines would work in the Red Wings favor. 

There are even more reasons why Bertuzzi would be an excellent fit once more in the Motor City, and a strong contingent of fans wouldn’t mind seeing him return to Detroit. Now, it’s all about turning that potential reunion into a reality.