Quoting: NDoody
Yah I think Steve Y is playing the long game here and sees money spend on other players as a better value than the price tag for Bertuzzi. As well from Bertuzzi's side of course you would love to play with McJesus or Leon and drive up your next contract, but I don't see that happening in a larger deal, he would be moved on his own for a return that gets the wings a winger that can replace his goals quicker than a prospect or a 1st rounder this offseason would.
Of course also why not make him bet on himself in Detriot, offer him a one-year show-me deal after getting Larkin a long-term deal? If he can't show his value and put up numbers again playing with Larkin and an even more mature Raymond then you know his true value. Sign him long-term then or move him next season.
I'm not certain that the Wings need to replace Bertuzzi's scoring. What they can't replace is his toughness combined with his skill. Not too many top 6 forwards in the entire league with Bertuzzi's grit and skill. The number drops off even more when you factor in the every game effort.
A 1 year show me just won't work. Somebody out there will bet big on Bertuzzi. Through no fault of his own, he has had a lot of injury time time during the years he should have been proving why his next contract should be big. His best year was the no travel to Canada season, and that really hurt his overall value. The style Bertuzzi plays can be hard on the body, as he has already shown. I'd be reluctant to give more than a 5 year deal over 7 million. Someone out there will offer Bertuzzi a 6 year 7.5 million deal at least, betting on that he can maintain his peak form and pot 30-40 goals and play both special teams. This is one of those medium high risk and really high reward situations.
I love Bertuzzi and would love to keep him. The truth is, if he gets more than 6 years and 6 or 7 million, that is a lot of risk for the way the Wings are structured for the future. If he degrades fast like a lot of players who play his style, or if he can't replicate his 30-35 goal pace, his contract will be a bit of an albatross. I think there are a few teams out there that can risk the possibility that they only get two or three really good years; any of the New York teams, Winnipeg, maybe Dallas, maybe Florida if they make some cap moves.
In any case it should be interesting.