The Daily: Can Bertuzzi Make Bruins Fans Hate Him?; Trade Talk

Tyler Bertuzzi plays abrasive enough on the ice to make Boston Bruins fans start cursing him at any moment. But BHN’s Jimmy Murphy writes that first they have to  stop loving him.

“Is Toronto Maple Leafs winger Tyler Bertuzzi about to become public enemy No. 1,” Murphy wrote, “with the Boston Bruins fans who still long for him to sign with the Bruins this offseason?”

The Bruins defeated Toronto 5-1 in Game 1, but Bertuzzi got his party started with five hits and a minor penalty. He was minus-1 in the game.

Boston fans appreciated Bertuzzi’s rough-and-tumble style when he played for the Bruins last season. He put up five goals and 10 points in seven games. More importantly, he played a hard-nosed style that Boston fans respect. They wanted him to re-sign with the team, but Bertuzzi opted to sign with Toronto.

He will hit the market again this summer, and there are Boston fans that would like to see the Bruins go after Bertuzzi again. Maybe that will change if they hate him by the end of this series.

David Kampf on Leafs parade to box in Game 1: "Maybe we wanted it too much. High emotions"

Tyler Bertuzzi: "Everyone was a little nervous … we've got to be a little bit more prepared to just kind of tone it down a bit"https://t.co/XIKtwPsZe2

— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) April 22, 2024

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• Detroit general manager Steve Yzerman’s criticism of NHL officiating during his season-ending press conference didn’t go unnoticed.
• Red Wings prospect Brady Cleveland is transferring from Wisconsin to Colorado College. He’s a 6-foot-5 defenseman with a mean streak.
• Defensman Moritz Seider did something that had done been done in 16 years.
• Paywall story: The Red Wings are not going to rush prime defensive prospect Axel Sandin Pellikka. He likely will stay in Sweden next season. To subscribe, please click here. To receive $10 off your subscription, use the promo code kevin10.

Red Wings Offseason

The Grand Rapids Griffins beat Milwaukee Admirals 2-1 on Carter Mazur’s overtime goal. The win provides the Griffins with home-ice advantage in their best-of-five playoff series against Rockford IceHogs. Game 1 will be in Rockford, but Games 2 and 3 will be at Grand Rapids Van Andel Arena on Wednesday, May 1 and Friday, May 3. For the complete series schedule and ticket information, click here.

Hockey Now Network

Boston: Jake DeBrusk could cash in financially with a strong performance in the postseason. He scored two power play goals in Game 1 against Toronto. The Boston Bruins forward will be an unrestricted free agent this fa

Chicago: Tyler Johnson on his time with the Chicago Blackhawks: ‘It wasn’t exactly what I envisioned.” Johnson will hit the free agent market this summer.

Colorado: Alexandar Georgiev’s teammates didn’t throw under the bus for his Game 1 performance, but Evan Rawal writes that he wasn’t good enough. Colorado Avalanche. 

Montreal: Marc Dumont writes that Nick Suzuki’s decision not to play for Canada in the World Championships is justified. Montreal Canadiens.

Philadelphia: Will the Philadelphia Flyers really trade Joel Farabee? Jonathan Bailey looks at the possibility.

Pittsburgh: Dan Kingerski explores in what areas the Washington Capitals, a playoff team. were better than non-qualifier Pittsburgh Penguins.