Tyler Bertuzzi begins seasons slowly. He did when he performed for the Detroit Pink Wings who drafted him in 2013. He did after becoming a member of new golf equipment just like the Boston Bruins in 2022 and the Toronto Maples in 2023. And his first 10 video games with the Chicago Blackhawks this season have been no completely different. It’s merely a truth, and I wrote about it final October to attempt to quell any considerations.
It’s additionally a proven fact that, after the primary 10 video games of a season, Bertuzzi’s manufacturing will increase. It takes time for him to seek out his footing, whether or not that be with the identical workforce or a brand new workforce. Now, about midway via the season, with 50 video games underneath his belt, we will assess whether or not or not he’s following the identical pattern.
Bertuzzi’s manufacturing has definitely elevated within the 40 video games since his preliminary 10. Although his averages are barely decrease than earlier seasons, on a Blackhawks workforce starved for offense, he has begun to drag his weight.
The Numbers
Via the primary 10 video games of this season, Bertuzzi scored solely two targets and posted a minus-6 ranking. Within the 40 video games since, he has posted 15 targets and 11 assists. His .65 point-per-game tempo in that span is just barely slower than the .70 common on different groups after the primary 10 video games of a season. Curiously, his 15 targets in these 40 video games lead all Blackhawks, as no different participant has greater than 15 targets this season. Connor Bedard scored his 14th final evening towards the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Taking a look at these numbers extra intently, we see that 9 targets and eight assists have been at even energy, which means 17 of his 26 factors (or 65%) of his manufacturing has come at 5-on-5. That issues on a workforce that has solely scored 98 even-strength targets this season, effectively beneath the league common of 116.

Bertuzzi’s common shot whole per sport has dropped from 2.1 to 1.58 after the primary 10 video games of this season. That could be a lower of .52, which means that his manufacturing is coming from fewer possibilities. He’s additionally scoring nearly all his targets (15 of 17) from proper in entrance of the web. What’s extra, his common ice time per sport has remained nearly equivalent: 16:08 and 16:09.
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These numbers point out that Bertuzzi is starting to really feel snug in Chicago taking part in his sport. He’s scoring extra targets on fewer pictures from the greasy spots he’s identified to thrive. He’s signed for 4 years, so that you need him to seek out his groove. In spite of everything, he has not performed for a similar workforce in two consecutive seasons since 2022. The Blackhawks may be capable of unlock some flashes of the Bertuzzi who scored 62 factors in 2021-22.
Predictions for the Remaining Stretch
In October, I predicted Bertuzzi would end this season with 52 factors. His .65 factors per sport tempo over the remaining 32 video games would see him web one other 21 factors, together with 12 extra targets and 9 extra assists. That might give him 49 factors, not too removed from the unique prediction. Although, not eclipsing that 50-point threshold definitely appears extra underwhelming.
These numbers shouldn’t be too shocking. Bertuzzi looks like he’ll slot in on the Blackhawks precisely as he has on different groups—a 50-point participant who offers depth and chew. The four-year time period and $5.5 million cap hit of his contract make his manufacturing harder to digest. He has confirmed he will be efficient within the playoffs, and that’s the place a lot of his current value was constructed. However because the Blackhawks gained’t be within the postseason anytime quickly, he gained’t have that further alternative to justify his contract.
Bertuzzi doesn’t have to justify it an excessive amount of, nevertheless. He wasn’t introduced in to be a high-end offensive producer. He’s meant to supply stability and expertise throughout a rebuild. If he can preserve this degree of play—whereas enhancing his begins to seasons—most Blackhawks followers can be happy to have him assist navigate this period.