More Bertuzzi trade reactions

You can view some of the original reactions from GM Ken Holland, head coach Mike Babcock, and a few bloggers on my post about the details of the Todd Bertuzzi trade here.

Bertuzzi will participate in Thursday’s practice, but is still 2-3 weeks out from playing in a game. He has been given Steve Yzerman’s locker room stall (gasp) right next to Henrik Zetterberg. I know someone had to get Yzie’s stall, but I still sometimes can’t believe he retired. Anyways,

What are some of the reactions from Wings players?

The captain, Nick Lidstrom, likes the trade from his perspective.

“I think he’s a playoff kind of player with a big body, uses that to his advantage, so I think he’s a perfect fit for our team,” captain Nicklas Lidstrom said. “He’s going to be tough to move around.”

Bertuzzi and Chris Chelios went at it during the 2002 playoff series between Vancouver and Detroit so some of the Wings teammates find this trade amusing.

Kris Draper, though, is convinced the two will become fast friends, and will surrender their right to having their own hotel rooms. “They’re both waiving their single rooms on the road,” Draper said, laughing. “That’s what’s going around the dressing room.”

Chelios wasn’t on the Chicago trip because the Wings wanted the 45-year-old to take a day off, but he was on his teammates’ minds. “We talked about Cheli and (Bertuzzi) going at it a few years ago,” Lidstrom said, “but you know, Cheli and (Bob) Probert had that thing going on when Probert was with Detroit, and they turned out to be best friends, so you never know what can happen with these two guys.”

Kris Draper believes fans will quickly learn to cheer him on when they see what he can bring to this team (much like when Chelios first played for the red and white).

“When you go into another team’s building and they boo you and they hate you, it’s obviously because you’re doing something right,” Draper said. “With Cheli it was the same way, but as soon as he came to Detroit, he became a favorite with the fans and I’m sure the same thing is going to happen with Bertuzzi once he throws on his Red Wings jersey.”

Other bloggers’ reactions…

James Mirtle at Globe and Mail’s hockey blog (Globe on Hockey):

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.

Mike Chen’s Hockey Blog:

Anyone want to put a few coins down on how many games Todd Bertuzzi will actually play for Detroit? This seems like kind of a strange move, but I suppose the Wings wanted to add the requisite “grit” that seems to have caused them problems in the past few playoff seasons. Of course, Bertuzzi has to actually skate first.

Alanah at Canucks and Beyond:

Blast from the past… Todd Bertuzzi has been traded to the Red Wings. Will he and Chelios now be BFF? Wow… As The Stomach Turns.

Some bloggers left comments about the trade under a post at Kukla’s Korner. Here’s a few:

JJ @ Canucks Hockey Blog: Crap. That’s all.

George Malik @ Snapshots: I’m not a fan of the man, and I definitely would have preferred another forward like Zubrus, but Bertuzzi’s a low-risk, high-reward move.

If his back holds up, he fulfills every need the Red Wings wanted to address up front–size, strength, physical bite, tenacious forechecking and tremendous goal-scoring ability. He’s got enough baggage to fill a semi truck, but for the return–a Maltby-like forward in Matthias, and conditional picks–it’s too good a deal to pass up.

It’s obviously somewhat reactionary, but it’s a smart move. Holland has maximized his return for the assets given up–Williams, Matthias, and conditional picks for a 25-goal scorer with some red flags in Calder, and a 40-goal scorer with red flags in Bertuzzi.

Related Posts

  • No Related Post

Posted in: Wings News | | February 2007

Leave a Reply