5 Rental Forwards New Jersey Devils Should Target In Trades

Tyler Bertuzzi

Sometimes, the best ability is availability, and for Tyler Bertuzzi, that hasn’t been the case lately. Bertuzzi is an all-offense winger who also plays an agitator style, similar to Brad Marchand. As a result, Bertuzzi can and will draw a ton of penalties. He and Jack Hughes could give opponents migraines that would last a lifetime playing on a line together, but there are a few roadblocks preventing the Devils from accomplishing that.

Bertuzzi has managed to play 70 games or more only two times in his career: 2018-19 and 2019-20. He also managed 68 last season, but last season and 2019-20 bookend a 2020-2021 season where he appeared in just seven games. Bertuzzi is sitting at nine games and is expected to be out until mid-January with his broken hand. In his nine appearances, he’s only managed one goal for a streaky Red Wings squad.

The Wings are fighting for a playoff spot, for now, but if they begin to falter. They could move Bertuzzi for the right package. In addition to the health issues, Bertuzzi is also one of the older and more costly players in the squad. It could make more sense for the Wings to continue to stockpile picks and prospects who better fit their timeline. If he’s acquired, it means the Devils will have an agitator capable of producing a ton of goals, directly and indirectly, for now and in the long term; re-signing him would be a top priority.