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Boston Bruins And Tyler Bertuzzi To Roster In Exchange For 2024 First-Round Pick
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The Boston Bruins have made another trade before the NHL trade deadline, acquiring forward Tyler Bertuzzi from the Detroit Red Wings.
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The trade involved a 2024 first-round draft pick (top-10 protected) and a 2025 fourth-round pick going to the Red Wings, with Detroit retaining 50 percent of Bertuzzi's salary cap hit.
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Bertuzzi is a solid playmaker and draws penalties at a high rate, with 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) in 29 games this season.
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The trade may be due to injuries to Taylor Hall and Nick Foligno, which could test Boston's depth.
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Hall is expected to miss his third straight game, and Foligno left Tuesday's win over the Flames after a collision in the second period and didn't return.
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Bertuzzi is a left winger who could play on the third or fourth lines.
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The Bruins previously acquired defenseman Dmitry Orlov and bottom-six forward Garnet Hathaway from the Washington Capitals last week.
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Boston has given up several draft picks in these trades and doesn't have a first-rounder until 2025 and a second-rounder until 2026.
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The Bruins are clearly in win-now mode and have the best roster in the league with a league-best 47-8-5 record.
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Bertuzzi is a pending free agent this offseason and has developed into a scrappy top-six forward during his time in Detroit.
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He scored 30 goals in 68 games last season and has surpassed the 20-goal threshold in two other seasons.
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Bertuzzi is known for being an effective agitator who draws penalties and serves as a fly in the ointment.
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The Bruins may need to place Hall or Foligno on long-term injured reserve (LTIR) to accommodate Bertuzzi's contract, but they can activate them for the playoffs without cap-related ramifications.
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Adding Bertuzzi to Boston's bottom-six group adds significant scoring depth to an already-loaded roster.