Chicago Blackhawks 2025-26 Player Grades: Tyler Bertuzzi

It’s true Bertuzzi makes his living at the net, deflecting the puck or tipping in rebounds. It seems the winger found plenty of linemates this season who were willing to shoot the puck his way, to find him “back door” as defenseman Louis Crevier termed it.

The 31-year-old was much more consistent this season than he’s been in the past. He never went more than six games without scoring a goal. His 32 goals led the team and was a career high for him. His 45 goals and 58 points were second on team behind Connor Bedard, and this point production was second highest of his career.

The theme of being second behind Bedard continues. Bertuzzi’s 164 shots on goal was second to Bedard, and his three game-winning goals was tied with Frank Nazar for second. However, the savvy veteran was the power play guru. His 11 power play goals led the team, and his 21 power play points was tied for first with Bedard. Oh, and he recorded two hat tricks this season.

It’s hard to be disappointed with Bertuzzi’s all-around production, and his work ethic certainly can’t be questioned either. Said Andre Burakovsky when he played with Bertuzzi for a stint in January, “He wins a lot of pucks. I like to have the puck a lot to make plays, and he’s a good asset for that. He protects the puck really well when he has it, and his forecheck wins a lot of pucks so we can create something right away. Also he’s a really good playmaker and goal scorer.”

Blashill put it even more simply, “He wins puck battles, he defends well and he’s really good around the net.” Playing the right way led the coach to appoint Bertuzzi as alternate captain (along with Bedard) when the leadership group of Nick Foligno, Connor Murphy and Jason Dickinson were all moved at the trade deadline. Bertuzzi might not be a “rah-rah” speech guy in the room, but he leads by example on the ice. This is something a young team needs; someone to show them the ropes, show them how it’s done. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he continues to wear the “A” next season as well.   

Quotable Quote

On Oct. 28 versus the Ottawa Senators, Bertuzzi wasn’t happy with the liberties opponent Nick Cousins was taking with himself and his teammates. Despite being banged up and having missed the last game, he didn’t hesitate to mix it up with Cousins. Said Blashill after the game,

Tyler is a foxhole guy, man. I’ll take him all day, every day, on any team I’ve ever coached. He’s a foxhole guy, and you want him in your foxhole. And he’ll stick up for himself, stick up for his teammates. He kind of embodies what we want to be as a group…He’s a big piece of what we want to be here.

Bertuzzi’s Final Grade: B+

It was a solid season for Bertuzzi, and he was one of the only veterans that lived up to, and actually exceeded, expectations. He’s cemented a place and a role on this Blackhawks’ team moving forward.

Now the key is to continue to be as consistent, and do it all over again next season.