Despite being in the hunt for a playoff spot, the Detroit Red Wings have traded pending unrestricted free agent Tyler Bertuzzi to the league-leading Boston Bruins, Sportsnet can confirm.
The move allows the Red Wings to recoup some assets for a winger not expected to be back next season.
Bertuzzi, 28, will bring a scoring touch to his new team with a physical edge. However, he also carries some injury risk as he’s missed extended time twice this season with hand and leg injuries.
It is the second big trade leading up to Friday’s deadline for the Bruins, who acquired Dmitry Orlov and Garnet Hathaway from the Washington Capitals last week.
The Bruins (47-8-5) have 99 points in 60 games, 13 more points than the second-best team — the Carolina Hurricanes.
In 29 games this season, Bertuzzi has four goals and 14 points. Last season he set career-highs with 30 goals and 62 points.
The Red Wings were comfortable making this move after a number of younger players — including Michael Rasmussen, Jonatan Bergren and Joe Veleno — seized larger roles this season. General manager Steve Yzerman is banking on the fact he has more forward depth than at any other time during his tenure managing hockey operations for the club in making this move amidst a playoff push.
The Red Wings are trying to make the playoffs for the first time since 2015-16 — the final season of their historic 25-year long playoff streak.
Detroit is five points out of the playoffs, but lost ground this week after being swept by the Ottawa Senators in a home-and-home series. The Senators also are in the wild-card race
