When Kyle Davidson signed Tyler Bertuzzi first and then followed up later by bringing Teuvo Teravainen back to Chicago, the Blackhawks suddenly had a concrete collection of top six forwards. The next question was valid: Who plays on Connor Bedard’s wing on the top line? The short answer is that either is more than qualified to be there. The logical follow up question then asks about how the team would benefit most.
Turns out it could be a win-win in several facets. A breakdown of Tyler Bertuzzi’s 21 goals last season see a player always in tight toward the net and will score the tough, greasy goals. So there shouldn’t be a surprise as to why Bertuzzi would make sense on the top line with Bedard firing shots that would lead to chance after chance for Bertuzzi on the wing.
Just a glance at his work last season with Toronto and the spots he scored from lo and behold were right on the doorstep. Bertuzzi Goals 5v5 (Evolving Hockey) Bertuzzi Powerplay Goals (Evolving Hockey) Just a glance at where Bertuzzi makes his living should excite Hawks fans. Much has been written about Bedard’s shot and playmaking skills.
Who better to benefit from this than Bertuzzi, who scored 15 at 5v5 and another five on the power play. But the former should really excite–the lionshare of his work was done at even strength which makes a pretty compelling case for Bertuzzi at top line duties. The concern? Streakiness.
Bertuzzi labored to put up his 21 goals and saw 15 of those 21 scored in his f.