Sudbury’s Bertuzzi agrees to a $22 million, 4-year deal with Blackhawks

‘Tyler is a fantastic competitor who brings energy every night’

Tyler Bertuzzi of Sudbury joined Connor Bedard in Chicago on the first day of NHL free agency, agreeing to a $22 million, four-year contract with the rebuilding Blackhawks on Monday.

“Tyler is a fantastic competitor who brings energy every night,” Chicago general manager Kyle Davidson said in a statement. “He has enjoyed consistent offensive success throughout his career, and we look forward to watching Tyler to continue to produce at the high level he’s shown he is capable of.”

Chicago is looking to upgrade its personnel around Bedard after the No. 1 overall pick in last year’s NHL draft had 22 goals and 39 assists in his first season. Even with Bedard in place, the Blackhawks were the lowest-scoring team in the league with 178 goals.

The 29-year-old Bertuzzi likely will play left wing on one of the team’s top two lines. He had 21 goals and 22 assists this season for Toronto, which was eliminated by Boston in seven games in the first round of the NHL playoffs.

Bertuzzi broke into the NHL with Detroit after he was selected by the Red Wings in the second round of the 2013 draft. Bertuzzi’s uncle, Todd, also played in the league for 18 years.

Tyler Bertuzzi has 113 goals and 148 assists in 406 career games, also playing for Boston for part of the 2022-23 season. He set career highs with 30 goals and 32 assists with Detroit during the 2021-22 campaign.

Bertuzzi has skated in 14 playoff games — all in the last two years. He has recorded six goals and eight assists in the postseason.