The Daily: Bertuzzi Good Fit For Bedard; Talbot Upgrade

Nate Brown of Chicago Hockey Now explored whether former Red Wings player Tyler Bertuzzi or Teuvo Teravainen is a better fit to play with Connor Bedard this season. Chicago general manager Kyle Davidson acquired both of them as free agents.

Brown concluded that Bertuzzi’s “nose for the net” is a perfect fit for Bedard.

“A breakdown of Tyler Bertuzzi’s 21 goals last season (for Toronto) shows a player always in tight toward the net and will score the tough, greasy goals,” Brown wrote. “So there shouldn’t be a surprise as to why Bertuzzi would make sense on the top line with Bedard firing shots that would lead to chance after chance for Bertuzzi on the wing. Just a glance at his work last season with Toronto and the spots he scored from lo and behold were right on the doorstep.”

Brown’s take on Teravainen: “Fourteen of Teravainen’s goals came at even strength, one short of Bertuzzi’s work. However, these came from a more diverse spot on the ice and not just in close.”

It may not matter who’s better because coach Luke Richardson may have Bedard centering both of them. That’s Faceoff.com’s latest projection.

The Chicago Blackhawks were busy, signing Tyler Bertuzzi, Teuvo Teravainen, Craig Smith, Pat Maroon, Alec Martinez, TJ Brodie and Laurent Brossoit. Tough to pinpoint this depth chart, lots of new parts but here's a Day 1 look: pic.twitter.com/zKizMAq1zv

— Daily Faceoff – Fantasy (@DFOFantasy) July 2, 2024

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

GM Steve Yzerman signed this year’s first round draft pick, Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, to an entry level contract. He probably slots in fourth on Detroit’s prospect list behind Marco Kasper, Nate Danielson and Axel Sandin-Pellikka.

Vladimir Tarasenko‘s father, Andrei, died suddenly in Russia. Andrei, a former Russian hockey standout, was 55.

Detroit prospect Ondre Becher turned around his hockey career by heeding the criticism of the Czech national team coach.

Paywall story:  Could Cam Talbot be one of the keys to the Red Wings’ hope of qualifying for the playoffs? DHN looks at five changes that could push the team into the post season. If you want to subscribe, click here. Use the promo code kevin10 to receive a $10 discount.

Red Wings Offseason

How much could Talbot help the Red Wings at the goalie position this season? Last season, Alex Lyon and James Reimer led Detroit in GSAA (Goals saved against the average). They were tied at 1.66 and ranked 38th and 39th in the NHL rankings, according to evolving-hockey.com. Ville Husso ranked 70th at minus-5.74. Talbot, meanwhile, ranked 11th in the NHL, just behind Linus Ullmark and Igor Shesterkin, at 12.17.

Hockey Now Network

Boston: Oddsmakers don’t favor the Bruins in early betting lines. But they like David Pastrnak to win the Rocket Richard Trophy. Boston Bruins.

Montreal: Marc Dumont looks at what would be a realistic approach to the Habs’ rebuild. Montreal Canadiens.

Philadelphia: Erik Johnson said he never considered retiring and he’s comfortable with his role with the Philadelphia Flyers.