Tyler Bertuzzi

2021-22 was a bounce-back season for Bertuzzi after he played in just nine games two seasons ago. He appeared in 68 of Detroit's 82 regular-season contests last year, with nine of those absences being the result of Bertuzzi not being allowed to play in Canada due to not having been vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus. Bertuzzi's 30 goals and 62 points were both new high-water marks last season, while his 14 points with the man advantage tied his previous career high. Bertuzzi should be considered a rock-solid fantasy pick as a potential point-per-game player entering the prime of his career at age 27.

Bertuzzi was limited to just nine games last season due to a back injury, but he was impressive during that limited stretch, picking up five goals and seven points, four of which came on the power play. The 26-year-old winger scored at least 21 goals and 47 points in back-to-back campaigns before last year's injury-shortened season, so he has solid offensive potential. However, Bertuzzi has opted not to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, so he won't be eligible to play in any of the Red Wings' nine games set to take place over the Canadian border in 2021-22 -- fantasy managers will need to take that into account when considering him on draft day.

Bertuzzi solidified his status as an NHL winger on the rise with 21 goals and 48 points in 71 appearances last year. He's converted his shots at a near 16 percent rate over the last two seasons, and he made the jump to full-time, first-line duty in 2019-20. A key component of the Red Wings' rebuild, Bertuzzi should have a chance to break the 50-point barrier while adding solid power-play numbers and mixing in reasonable hit and PIM totals in 2020-21. Fantasy managers can have confidence that Bertuzzi will be able to find success regardless of the otherwise bleak offensive outlook for the Red Wings this year.

Bertuzzi enjoyed a stellar 2018-19 campaign, with the fiery winger amassing 21 goals, 26 assists and a team-best rating (plus-11) through 73 games. Of course, Bert's shooting percentage of 16.0 was another mark that his teammates couldn't contend with. Expect a steady uptick in ice time for the Ontario native compared to the 15:19 he's averaged through the first 128 games of his NHL career. His abrasive style makes him a multi-zone menace, plus the 24-year-old's been exhibiting a greater sense of patience and maturity on and off the ice to the benefit of fantasy owners abound. Look for him near the middle rounds of drafts ahead of the 2019-20 season.

A wrist injury spoiled Bertuzzi's chances of cracking the Opening Night roster with the Red Wings last season, but the agitating scoring winger climbed aboard the AHL-to-NHL express in December and never looked back, crafting seven goals and 17 assists over 48 games. The NHL's Department of Player Safety is kept busy due to “act first, think later” players like Bertuzzi. While he only registered 39 PIM as a rookie, Detroit's 2013 second-round (58th overall) draft pick is still learning what constitutes a good penalty in the eyes of head coach Jeff Blashill. Still, if Bertuzzi keeps a level head in the upcoming season, he should reprise his top-six role and continue receiving power-play chances. Expectations for the Ontario native hit a new level in late June when he procured a two-year, $2.8 million contract extension.

It's no fluke that Bertuzzi was named the MVP of the Calder Cup playoffs. His solid 12 goals and 37 points in 48 regular-season games were overshadowed by a 19-point postseason for the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins. Bertuzzi’s ability to kick it up a notch when it mattered most certainly raised eyebrows in the Red Wings’ front office, making him a serious contender for a spot on the Opening Night roster. Still, his call-ups were uneventful in 2016-17, as he scored zero points in seven games. The 21-year-old plays a lot like his uncle, retired Red Wing Todd Bertuzzi, in that his game is characterized by fiery aggression and keen awareness of his surroundings -- but he’s better at staying out of the penalty box (37 PIM in the AHL last year). The youngster will have plenty of opportunities to prove his worth in Motown even if he fails to make the team right out of training camp.

To some degree, Bertuzzi is following in the footsteps of his Uncle Todd. Both started their careers with the Guelph Storm of the OHL and have spent time within the Red Wings’ organization. Todd wrapped up his 18-year NHL career -- his last five seasons were spent with Detroit -- a year before the club selected his nephew with a second-round pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. At 21 years old, Bertuzzi is a menacing winger with a second home in the penalty box. This past season, while playing for AHL Grand Rapids, he racked up 133 PIM in 71 games, far and away the highest total on the team. When he’s not warming the sin bin, Bertuzzi is a threat to score. He dropped 43 goals in 68 games with the Guelph Storm of the OHL in 2014-15, and thrived in the 2016 Calder Cup Playoffs, leading the Griffins with seven scores in nine contests. Bertuzzi will compete for a roster spot right of training camp. If the pest doesn’t break camp, he’ll likely be a top call-up option when injuries threaten the crop of more seasoned forwards.

Mostly known as the nephew of teammate Todd Bertuzzi, Tyler broke out for 34 points in 29 games with the Guelph Storm of the OHL last season and earned himself a second-round pick with Detroit. He's still a raw talent, but Detroit likes his abrasive and physical style of play for the future. Give the younger Bertuzzi a few years, and he may make a similar impact in the NHL to that of his uncle.