Buffalo Sabres: Outlining three trade proposals for Tyler Bertuzzi

It is the NHL offseason and that means the Buffalo Sabres are looking at every possible scenario involving roster transactions. And that includes trades.

Last week, we were looking at potential trade scenarios regarding Patrick Kane thanks to Da Windy City’s article on the subject. Yesterday, Even Mead of FanSided’s Octopus Thrower listed the Buffalo Sabres as a potential suitor for forward Tyler Bertuzzi.

Mead writes that the former second-round pick has played well during his time in Detroit and that the potential trade is not of any wrongdoing on his part. Instead, it’s the business aspects of the NHL that may prompt the Detroit Red Wings to move Bertuzzi.

Here is a direct quote from Mead’s article:

"“He’s done nothing wrong, he’s just a player that is going to make quite a bit of money after this contract and his skill-set doesn’t make him untradeable. He just kind of has the rotten end of the deal here, but once again- its a business.” – via Octopus Thrower."

Besides the Sabres, Mead also listed the Nashville Predators and the New Jersey Devils as potential destinations. Mead likes the idea of Bertuzzi coming to Buffalo because his experience can help guide one of the NHL’s youngest rosters.

And while Bertuzzi himself will only be 27 when the season begins, his six seasons of experience would slide him into both a producer and a mentor role.

Is Tyler Bertuzzi a good fit for the Buffalo Sabres?

Mead questioned whether wingers Kyle Okposo and Jeff Skinner were really players the Sabres needed. He believes Bertuzzi is a better fit overall than the aforementioned Okposo and Skinner. To an extent, he’s absolutely right. While Skinner and Okposo had redemption seasons in 2021-22, they were in the doldrums for about two seasons beforehand.

Plus, they are both 30 and 34 years old with a combined 29 years of NHL experience. Which is great when you need sound leadership. So much that Okposo is a shoo-in to wear the ‘C’ patch in 2022-23. But let’s be honest: Okposo is a lower liner and Skinner needs to prove last season was no fluke. 

Not that I’m endorsing the trade here. It’s that Bertuzzi is younger, productive, and he carries one of the NHL’s most accurate shots, having notched a career-best of 16.7 shooting percentage (min 48 games). Further, The Charging Buffalo had this to say regarding a potential move for a forward:

That said, expect at least one new face not named Jack Quinn or J.J. Peterka in either the top or bottom six next season. So, let’s play GM and break down three trade proposals for Tyler Bertuzzi.