Tyler Bertuzzi and the Leafs would have liked a long-term agreement

Earlier this summer, the Toronto Maple Leafs acquired an excellent player via the autonomous player market, signing forward Tyler Bertuzzi.

It was an unexpected signing that really revitalized Maple Leafs fans, who had been disappointed with the off-season under their new general manager, Brad Treliving, prior to this signing.

The losses of Michael Bunting, Ryan O’Reilly, Alex Kerfoot and other players hurt, and they needed to be replaced.

Bertuzzi is more than a replacement, as he is an excellent field hockey player who will greatly improve the Leafs.

The only snag in all this is that the contract signed between the Leafs and Bertuzzi is only for one year.

So the Leafs could already lose the services of the 28-year-old forward next summer.

However, according to reputable whistleblower Elliotte Friedman, the Leafs and Bertuzzi really wanted a long-term deal, not just a one-year one.

Indeed, Friedman told Sportsnet 590 that both parties were very open to signing a long-term deal.

Toronto wanted a long-term deal with Bertuzzi, and Bertuzzi wanted the same.

Yet it was a one-year deal at $5.5 million that was signed.

Why was this?

Because the Leafs simply didn’t have the capacity to sign that kind of deal right now.

With their already overused payroll, the Leafs couldn’t afford to dump a lot of money in the long term, especially on a player who has missed a lot of games in recent seasons due to injury.

It would have been a risk for the Leafs.

Friedman, on the other hand, sees the long-term deal as a long shot, given that both parties would still seem to want to get along for the long haul.

If Bertuzzi performs well this season, and remains healthy, it’s clear that both parties will begin discussing a long-term contract extension.

As of January 1, 2024, the two parties will be able to agree on a contract extension.

It remains to be seen whether the Leafs will opt to re-sign Bertuzzi rather than William Nylander.

It would clearly be cheaper.

There will also be Mitch Marner to re-sign in two years’ time.

In short, the Leafs really do have a complicated salary situation, and they have to be careful to manage it all in order to make the right decisions.

If Bertuzzi signs with Toronto for the long term, it’s likely that William Nylander will be on his way out at the end of the season.

In a gust

– A true Bruins fan, but especially a Jeremy Swayman fan.

– Devon Levi is ready for the start of the season.

Devon Levi… 👀

🎥: Raimondo Goaltending. pic.twitter.com/EyzxKzmoSw

– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) September 3, 2023

– Montreal CF’s humiliating 4-2 home loss to Wilfried Nancy’s Columbus Crew.

– Coming up.

8 players who could still move to Saudi Arabia in this transfer window – GIVEMESPORT
While most transfer windows are now shut, the Saudi Pro League still has time to get a few more stars through the doors https://t.co/7btpSGPuLE

– Renato Sosua 🇨🇦 🇫🇷 🇺🇸 🇪🇸 (@RenatoSosua) September 3, 2023

– It’s a tough time for the Blue Jays.