Even though Bertuzzi's free agent signing from the previous summer didn't go quite as expected, he ended up being a highly important player for the Maple Leafs in the closing stages of the season and throughout the opening round of the playoffs. In fact, the Leafs are in talks with Bertuzzi regarding a contract extension because of this.
A reported contract that former NHL player turned insider Jordan Schmaltz revealed appears to keep Bertuzzi in Toronto for the next three seasons at the very least. If the gritty forward is ready to take it, it's really a fairly good bargain.
In 80 games Bertuzzi, 29, played 80 games for Toronto. He scored 21 goals and 22 assists for 43 points.
If these numbers are accurate, $4,750,000 is an incredibly fair price for both the Maple Leafs and Bertuzzi. It's possible that this deal could come together sooner than later, but this continues to show a change of culture for the Maple Leafs who have seen supporting cast walk out of a revolving door for years.
