Sign him to a 2 yr or trade him. Letting him walk just to make the playoffs is a huge FAIL in the YzerPlan. 

Nolan Bianchi of the Detroit News,

Detroit has missed the playoffs in six consecutive seasons and hasn't come close to a playoff spot in that span.

While the Wings' recent run probably hasn't convinced general manager Steve Yzerman that the team is ready to contend for a Stanley Cup, his reported decision to not move Bertuzzi would seem to indicate that he would at least like to see the team's young corps play meaningful hockey down the stretch run.

If the Red Wings don't trade Bertuzzi at the deadline, they will risk losing him for nothing if they are unable to extend him before free agency begins this summer. Detroit on Thursday signed 28-year-old defenseman Olli Maatta to a two-year contract extension worth $3 million AAV.

From an asset management standpoint, the implication here is that Yzerman is either planning to revisit contract negotiations upon deciding not to trade Bertuzzi, or taking a calculated risk that the potential experience gained by his team this year would be more valuable than whatever trade package Detroit could get for him.

Or, the third option: Yzerman is still planning to trade Bertuzzi and is using the leverage of his team's position in the standings to jack up the price.

more on Bertuzzi

They'd be foolish to trade him given his season - he's not worth jack. Instead use that to your advantage and sign him to a two year "show me" contract.

The naivety of the comments will be on full display this summer when ‘lil Bert signs a 5-7 year deal for $6M+ somewhere else.

If the Wings—okay SY—doesn’t trade him, ‘lil Bert will be lost for nothing. Is getting blown out in the first round really worth a possible 1st round pick for a rental?

About the only Ken Holland-ism I ever agreed with was the “there are no hometown discounts in UFA” one. For Bertuzzi this is especially true.

1) History of disputes (contract and health) with Wings mgmt.

He took the Wings to arbitration as a 25 yr old (2020) and went through the hearing. Awarded 1 yr x 3.5M.

He then signed a 2 yr bridge deal taking himself to UFA the fastest he could. 2yrs x 4.75M.

Health look no further than SY’s comments about COVID vaccines.

Other GM’s (besides KH in Edmonton) don’t have that baggage.

2) His age, style of play, and injury history projects as issues for the Wings.

He’s already had an inability to stay healthy. He turns 28 yrs old next week. Is that too old for the rebuild? How about significant back/neck/both hands injuries?

Look how Danny DeKeyser’s career went after back surgery.

Other GM’s might simply ignore that as they are pushing to win now with deep playoff runs—which rewards Bertuzzi’s style of play.

3) Salary Cap escrow debt is expected to be paid off next year (2024) and following year the cap could increase by $4M according to some insiders. GM’s going after UFA’s this summer know that too.

Player comparables:

Zach Hyman 7 yrs x 5.5M (July 2021)

Justin Abdelkader 7 yrs x 4.625M (Nov 2015)

…and that is the problem with signing him long-term.