Maple Leafs’ top six forward trading targets: Tyler Bertuzzi – Hockey Writer – Toronto Maple Leafs

Now that the 2025 offseason is gradually disappearing, we have officially entered the summer dog. Although it may be boring for fans, the NHL general manager is still doing due diligence and calling to try to improve its members. There is more to happen with Toronto Maple Leaf. They added some depth to make the team more reflective of Brad Treliving and Craig Berube’s style, but they still need more. Continuous speculation is that Calle Jarnkrok and David Kampf may be moved before the 2025-26 NHL season begins. Since Nicholas Robertson’s future revolves around uncertainty, it’s no surprise if Treliving and Berube actively look at the players who are moldy for themselves.

So let’s first look at Chicago Blackhawks’ Tyler Bertuzzi as someone who can help improve the roster and fit the Maple Leafs’ game style.

Treliving should bring more “snot”

Some fans may question the reunion between Bertuzzi and the organization. But at the same time, many have already wondered why the team didn’t bring him back instead of signing Max Domi. Now they can have a chance to reintroduce him to Toronto and have more time and a chance to fill a hole in the top six. During his first tenure on the team, he often worked with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. That was the leader of former head coach Sheldon Keefe. Under Berube, Bertuzzi can be used on the second line with William Nylander and John Tavares, where he can serve as a net front line.

As Matthew Knies locked the character on the top line, it makes more sense to insert Bertuzzi on the second character. He is a strong, difficult, difficult player to compete. When Treliving initially introduced him and Domi, he used the term “Snot” to describe the additional physical state they wanted in the lineup. Now, it’s about finding a player who matches that identity and who can be obtained in the playoffs to help get this team out of the situation. In 82 games against the Blackhawks, Bertuzzi scored 23 goals and 23 assists to score 46 points. In 80 games against the Maple Leafs in 2023-24, he scored 21 goals and 22 assists and 43 points.

Related: How Maple Leaf plays long games to quietly reconnect their lineup

Bertuzzi signed for two years at $5.5 million, which made the deal a little tricky. Maple leaves need to clear their wages before moving. But the harder part will be the asking price. Toronto has no huge amount of assets to be unique and the Blackhawks are trying to move forward in their reconstruction.

Then what will they give up? It’s hard to say, but Chicago may arouse Robertson’s attraction. He is the kind of player, and if he gets more consistent ice time, he can score over 30 goals. Most importantly, Toronto may need to include one of Jarnkrok or Kampf to make the money normal. It is not easy to find a trade that exceeds the finish line. But this is possible. It may take some time, and it seems to be this summer. Yes, he has taken action, but he has followed his schedule, which has helped him maximize the Dakota Joshua deal. Either way, if the Blackhawks are looking to add a young score while Maple Leafs want another edgy forward that fits their style, this might be a deal worth exploring.