Why backloaded? Wonder if this is an indication that people in the league are expecting something in the 35+ rule to change with the new CBA, or something related to the calculation of the average number/cap hit.

Posted by Nathan from the scoresheet! on 02/22/12 at 01:12 PM ET

I was just thinking yesterday that he looks like he would be good for a couple more years at a little over $2M.

Posted by teldar on 02/22/12 at 01:37 PM ET

Good stuff.  More crazy backhand shots and slooooooooow shootout attempts.  I’ll take it.

Posted by Ajax19 on 02/22/12 at 01:47 PM ET

He’s been a way more effective player than I thought he’d be. Shrewd move IMO.

Posted by RyanVM on 02/22/12 at 01:49 PM ET

This makes me happy. He’s been a pleasant surprise for us during his years here, and what better way to reward him for his effort than with a shiny new contract?

Posted by Alan from Atlanta on 02/22/12 at 02:03 PM ET

The deal is probably backloaded incase there is a lockout next season.

It’s a good deal, Bert brings size and a net front presence, tough to get off the puck, excellent in shootouts.

Posted by JHVRay on 02/22/12 at 02:05 PM ET

I am all for this deal. Now just get someone big and tough before the deadline.. Like Paul Gaustad.

Posted by RorSchach from Datsberg on 02/22/12 at 02:34 PM ET

Bert has found the fountain of youth playing with Datsyuk and Franzen, and is having his best season as a Red Wing.

2009-2010   82 GP   18   26   44   -7  
2010-2011   81 GP   16   29   45   -7  
2011-2012   54 GP   12   17   29   21

He has been strong on the boards, strong on the puck, but more importantly, much better defensively.  Of course, playing with Magically Delicious certainly helps.

I have been a big fan of his game this year (except those blind/backhand passes to no-one in particular - but he is cutting down on those too).

Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 02/22/12 at 02:49 PM ET

Posted by RorSchach on 02/22/12 at 11:34 AM ET

Yes please.

Posted by Garth on 02/22/12 at 02:55 PM ET

I find it amusing, reading some of the comments on other sites, that he isn’t worth $2.2M.  He puts up numbers similar to Filppula before this year and he’s cheaper.  He’s also cheaper than Cleary and puts up similar numbers.  And he’s playing on the first line, currently at less than $2M and next year at just over $2M.  That’s pretty damn good.  And as for his “injury history”, he’s missed two games in over two and a half years because of injury (and 6 games because of a sinus infection which, to me, doesn’t count as being injury prone…).  That’s pretty durable to me.

Posted by Garth on 02/22/12 at 03:16 PM ET

This is a good thing. Bert’s been playing better and better each season and he’s finally got his swagger back. It seems he’s no longer afraid of getting physical, and his stick handling seems to have improved this season too. Maybe Datsyuk’s rubbing off on him.

Posted by awould on 02/22/12 at 03:24 PM ET

Good deal.  Bert still has hands, good protector of the puck, tough guy, and shootout master.  I love having him on this ice b/c when he’s out there nobody *#$%@& w/ pav or hank and he’s not a liability.

Posted by statelouis26 from Detroit, MI on 02/23/12 at 01:33 AM ET