Sportsnet 590 Fan: Elliott Friedman on Sports 590 on UFA Tyler Bertuzzi’s waiting options. Will the Toronto Maple Leafs be an interested team?
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Matt Marchese: “Well, yesterday I also tweeted that Tyler Bertuzzi is going to test for free agency tomorrow. Are you a little surprised by that because we know Boston was trying to make moves because they wanted to make Tyler Bertuzzi a priority this season.
Is there a chance you think he’s still going back to Boston or do you think he might have lost himself out of Boston because of their current situation? “
Friedman: “Well, I think Bertuzzi is his right, he’s looking for a term and I’m not sure Boston was capable of that. I don’t know if the money was the problem or the term was a bigger problem. And I think that was kind of, some situation.” What happened to him in Detroit, maybe it happened to him again in Boston.
But look, I think Boston is in a really tough place. The other thing I think is, I think Bertuzzi will have a lot of suitors once he hits the market.
I think signing Barbashev in Vegas was the best thing I think could have happened to Bertuzzi because he took another similar player off the board. I just think that’s huge for him.
I think there will be a lot of interest in it. I wouldn’t be surprised if Toronto is one of the teams taking a closer look at him. We’ll see where you go.
Marchese: “Would you put Pittsburgh on the list, too?”
Friedman: I think everyone will ask. definitely. It’s the kind of player you need. Everyone is looking for it now. The strong man who can win battles. He is a skilled player.