Same Old Song: Red Wings Bring Vet Todd Bertuzzi Back To Motown

The Red Wings have signed former Wing Todd Bertuzzi to a one-year, $1.5 million contract.

After signing former Wing Jason Williams two weeks ago to an identical contract, it appeared that Detroit's roster was set.

The Williams signing left them with just a little more than $500,000 in cap space for the '09-'10 season—a less than comfortable cap cushion and seemingly too little to sign another player.

However, during an interview he had with The Fan 590 radio in Toronto, Senior VP Jimmy Devellano said that the Wings were planning to sign Big Bert to a one-year deal.

The signing likely indicates that ailing blue-liner Andreas Lilja is going to be placed on long-term injured reserve.

Lilja is still suffering from post-concussion symptoms related to the injury he sustained in a fight with Nashville's Shea Weber last season.

If he is placed on long-term IR, his $1.25 million annual salary will not count against the cap.

Detroit currently has 13 forwards under contract.

Adding Bertuzzi gives them two more forwards than they need, which could mean that, in addition to Justin Abdelkader, the Wings are planning to send Darren Helm or Ville Leino to Grand Rapids.

However, doing so is a bit of a gamble considering both players are young, talented and hungry for a permanent spot in the NHL.

Remember, this is not the "pre-Steve Moore" Bertuzzi, the guy who was considered perhaps the best power forward in the league at one time.

This is the physically and emotionally damaged Bertuzzi that has played for four teams (Florida, Detroit, Anaheim, Calgary) over the past three seasons. 

Given this history, denying Helm or Leino a regular spot in the lineup may prove to be a mistake.

Still, Bertuzzi's performance with Anaheim (40 pts/68 games) and Calgary (44 pts/66 games) the past two seasons has been decent. Should he put up similar numbers this year, the signing could prove to be a great move.

Trainers were reportedly very impressed with Bertuzzi's conditioning and the back injury that severley limited his effectiveness during his first, brief stint with the Wings appears to no longer be a factor.

Adding Bertuzzi (6' 3", 230lbs) gives Detroit a second power-forward to use on the top two lines as, prior to now, Johan Franzen (6' 3", 220lbs) was the Wings sole power-forward.

Franzen would still be considered the top dog (or mule as the case may be) as he's just coming into his prime as one of the better power-forwards in the league.

But adding Bertuzzi to the mix should make for a grittier Detroit team that still has the offensive punch to knock out most opponents.

Finally, adding Patrick Eaves, Jason Williams and Todd Bertuzzi doesn't quite make up for the losses of Jiri Hudler, Mikael Sammuelsson and Marian Hossa. 

However, you have to marvel once again at Detroit's ability to fill holes.

With less than $4 million dollars, the Wings have added three veteran forwards, all of whom have had 20 goal seasons in the NHL. 

It would be foolish to think each of them will have 20+ goals next year, but considering the available players and limited cap space, Detroit's front office has proved once again that there is no one better than they are when it comes to building a team.