Now here's a big deal.
The Detroit Red Wings have acquired Todd Bertuzzi from the Florida Panthers for prospect Shawn Mattias and a conditional draft pick.
Bertuzzi, a pending UFA, was the key player the Panthers received in exchange for Roberto Luongo in the summer, but has played just seven games this season after undergoing back surgery early in the year. His return is expected soon, although with just 19 games remaining in Detroit's season, it remains to be seen what sort of game shape Bertuzzi can play himself into in time for the playoffs. His salary for this season is $5.269-million.
Here's how Bertuzzi will fit into the Red Wings' revamped line-up:
Datsyuk - Zetterberg - BertuzziCleary - Lang - Holmstrom
Calder - Draper - Maltby
Franzen - Hudler - Filppula
The biggest question when it comes to Bertuzzi, of course, is his health. At the peak of his game — which at this point was nearly four years ago — he was a dominant player who could change the course of games, score 40 goals and 100 points and generally create all kinds of problems for his opposition.
Including the 2002-03 postseason, Bertuzzi has scored just 45 goals and 144 points in his last 172 games, which equates to a 20-goal, 69-point season over 82 games.
The Red Wings were looking to get tougher heading into the postseason, and acquiring Kyle Calder last night and Bertuzzi today certainly accomplishes that.
Mattias meanwhile was Detroit's second-round pick from last summer's entry draft, and has 33 goals in 57 games with the OHL's Belleville Bulls.
