Tyler Bertuzzi enjoyed a rebound year this past season for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and now he looks to leverage that into a big payday this offseason.
But if he doesn’t stay in Toronto, where could he end up? OntarioBets.com, your source for Ontario sports betting news, has generated the following odds for Tyler Bertuzzi’s free agent destination.
Team | Odds | Percent Chance |
Nashville Predators | +400 | 20.0% |
Toronto Maple Leafs | +500 | 16.7% |
Detroit Red Wings | +500 | 16.7% |
Seattle Kraken | +800 | 11.1% |
New Jersey Devils | +1000 | 9.1% |
Buffalo Sabres | +1000 | 9.1% |
The Field | +450 | 18.2% |
A reminder, these odds are for infotainment purposes only. You will not find them on any approved Ontario sports betting app operators, such as Pinnacle or bet365.
After signing a one-year, $5.5 million deal, the 29-year-old winger posted 21 goals and 22 assists in 80 regular season games for Toronto; he also had a goal and three helpers during a first-round series loss to the Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup playoffs. It’s the fourth time Bertuzzi has scored 21 or more goals in a season, and it came after he hit the net just eight times in 2022-23, a season he split between the Detroit Red Wings and Boston.
Since he’s just two years removed from a 30-goal season, Bertuzzi will become one of the top free agents available in July if he doesn’t stay put (see our Toronto Maple Leafs betting guide to get a jump on next season). Bertuzzi is a top-six forward who can play a physical game. That skill set, plus his solid year in Toronto, will likely land him a longer-term deal this summer.
It appears to be a three-way race with Bertuzzi’s current team, his former team and the Predators.
With Barry Trotz back in Nashville, Bertuzzi plays the kind of game that works in the coach’s system. He’d also provide additional scoring depth, as the Preds were very reliant on their first line last season. Plus, there’s no state income tax in Tennessee, which might help sway Bertuzzi if the Preds come calling.
Like the Maple Leafs, Nashville’s season ended in the first round of the playoffs. Oddsmakers at bet365 Ontario Sportsbook are already working on odds for next season, and they currently give the Predators odds of +3500 to win the Stanley Cup next season.
Bertuzzi spent his first six-and-a-half NHL seasons playing for the Red Wings, and reports indicate there’s interest in bringing him back. Detroit just missed out on a playoff spot this past season, and he would be a viable alternative if they can’t re-sign Patrick Kane.
The Red Wings have not made the playoffs since the 2015-16 season. With Bertuzzi gaining postseason experience the past two seasons, he could be a key piece to one of the league’s most storied franchises making a return to the big stage. At Caesars Ontario Sportsbook, the Red Wings are one of four teams – along with the New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Penguins – who have odds of +2000 to win the Eastern Conference next season. Those four teams have the eighth-lowest odds on the Caesars board.
Toronto still has exclusive rights to discuss a new contract with Bertuzzi until the free agency window opens June 30. Reports indicate there is mutual interest in a return.
CapFriendly.com projects the Maple Leafs to have $18.8 million in salary cap space for next season. That’s because of a higher-than-expected jump in the cap for next season. The extra money available might help the Leafs resign Bertuzzi, whose scoring ability may be needed should the team choose to move Mitch Marner in the offseason.
Could Bertuzzi help the Maple Leafs end the 57-year Stanley Cup drought in Canada’s largest city? Oddsmakers at DraftKings Ontario Sportsbook give Toronto odds of +1600 to win it all next season. That’s the same odds as the Vegas Golden Knights, the seventh-shortest on the board.
USA Today photo by Bob DeChiara
Author
Steve is an accomplished, award-winning reporter with more than 20 years of experience covering gaming, sports, politics and business. He has written for the Associated Press, Reuters, The Louisville Courier Journal, The Center Square and numerous other publications. Based in Louisville, Ky., Steve has covered the expansion of sports betting in the U.S. and other gaming matters. He shares his expertise on OntarioBets, among other sites.
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