CALGARY -- Todd Bertuzzi has practised the last few days and took a regular spin at today’s morning skate. But does that mean the big winger is about to crack the Detroit Red Wings line-up?
Bertuzzi's response was that, "Everyone will take the pre-game skate then go from there."
But why would Detroit want him in right now anyway?
Bertuzzi suffered a concussion late in the regular-season and has yet to appear in the Stanley Cup playoffs. The other day he said he was feeling better and that every day was a stride in the right direction.
"Obviously I'll want to be 100 per cent," he said. "It's just a matter of working as hard as I can."
With the Red Wings holding a 2-0 series lead over the Calgary Flames, there’s simply no need to rush Bertuzzi into action. Besides, which Detroit player should come out for him?
Do the Red Wings drop second-line right winger Mikael Samuelsson to the third line? Do they sit out Jiri Hudler? That's been the talk but Hudler has two assists playing on a fourth line that has impressed so far with its jump and skill.
Aside from the concussion issue, here are two more things to consider about Bertuzzi's value: his skating speed has never been the greatest; then there’s his not so glorious playoff record.
In the 2003 playoff series against the Minnesota Wild, Bertuzzi, then a Vancouver Canuck, had one goal and an assist in seven games and was a minus three defensively with 24 penalty minutes. His career postseason count reads six goals and eight assists in 24 games.
Clearly, the Red Wings can wait until he’s healthy before tapping Big Bert on the shoulder and saying, “You’re in."
