Insider leaks salary and term for Tyler Bertuzzi contract with Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have reportedly begun negotiations with free agent forward Tyler Bertuzzi, and now an insider has leaked the potential details of the contract.
According to Jordan Schmaltz, Bertuzzi is looking for a 3 year contract at $4.75M annually, as well as $7M paid in signing bonuses.
If that's all Bertuzzi is commanding in free agency, the Leafs will jump at the opportunity to lock him up. The Leafs signed Bertuzzi to a one year contract last season for $5M, and if Bertuzzi is looking to reduce salary for more security, the Leafs will be a great fit.
In 80 games last season, Bertuzzi scored 21 goals and 43 points. His career high for points in a season was 62 in 68 games with the Red Wings in 2021-22. Now 29 years old, Bertuzzi's not likely to randomly pop off for an incredible offensive season - and he could sacrifice some annual salary to keep himself from bouncing around the league in the next few years.
Bertuzzi didn't produce as well offensively as Leafs fans may have hoped in his time on Auston Matthews' wing, but he brought an element of compete, physicality, and a pest attitude that is sorely lacking on the Leafs. If that's all it will take for to sign Bertuzzi until his age 32 season, the Leafs will complete a deal likely before free agency begins.
| POLL | ||
Do you think Tyler Bertuzzi will sign for under $5M with the Leafs? | ||
| Yes, he'll sign that contract | 56 | 41.5 % |
| No, he'll sign for more money | 46 | 34.1 % |
| He'll sign away from the Leafs | 24 | 17.8 % |
| See Results | 9 | 6.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
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