from Ansar Khan of Mlive,

Q: What does the future hold for Bertuzzi with the team? Think they’ll sign him long-term or trade him? What might his new contract look like? – J.B.

A: Bertuzzi’s contract situation is more complicated because of his inability to play in Canada for opting not to be vaccinated for COVID-19.

Ideally, the Red Wings would like to sign him long-term and have him continue to be an integral part of the rebuild. He brings a different dimension with his combination of skill and grit, and he’s coming off his most productive season (30 goals, 62 points in 68 games).

Bertuzzi’s current cap hit is $4.75 million, and his new deal likely would be for more than $6 million per season, maybe closer to $7 million.

If the sides don’t reach an agreement by the trade deadline, Yzerman surely will move Bertuzzi to a playoff contender. They wouldn’t get equal value for him, as a rental unable to play in Canada, but they won’t let him walk for nothing as an unrestricted free agent next summer.

Teams have been inquiring about Bertuzzi for a few years but probably aren’t willing to relinquish fair value if that can even be accurately determined due his travel restriction.

Even if Bertuzzi signs a long-term extension, it won’t necessarily preclude him from being moved. The Red Wings inked Anthony Mantha to a four-year, $21.8 million pact early in the 2020-21 season and dealt him five months later.

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