The Senators made it official today, Todd Bertuzzi has signed a PTO deal with the club and is set to report to Binghamton (AHL). The initial reports came from a french website “DansLesCollises” where rumours then sprung from mainstream outlets.
Bertuzzi comes into Ottawa on a PTO, non-committal deal.
From Senshot’s post 2 days ago, here’s what a PTO is described as:
"A PTO essentially works as a day-to-day contract. A team can release the player at any time and has no commitment, the team also holds the right to sign the player (Bertuzzi) before anyone else.The length of the PTO is a maximum of 25 games, where Ottawa could elect to keep Bertuzzi around, if Bertuzzi was wanted past the 25 game mark."
Bertuzzi’s signing is a UFA deal, where he comes off having not skated on professional ice in just under a year. Ottawa has Bertuzzi’s rights for 25 professional games, and can elect to keep him if things work out.
May 8, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Detroit Red Wings right wing Todd Bertuzzi (44) reacts after Anaheim Ducks right wing Kyle Palmieri (51) scores a goal as fans celebrate during the first period in game five of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
The deal isn’t a game-changer and it may be unlikely that Todd Bertuzzi ever steps on Canadian Tire Center ice, but I would remind you that Bryan Murray has claimed to have been searching for a “harder forward” for quite some time.
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Let’s say an injury occurs or Bertuzzi impresses in Binghamton, I guess the possibility for a brief stint with the club is there, especially since Ottawa is drawing out of playoff contention.
Bertuzzi is of course known for an on ice incident in 2003 that left Steve Moore out of the game. After a promising start to his career and a spot on Canada’s national team in 2002, Bertuzzi hasn’t been the same since.
Perhaps it’s due to age, but “big bert” saw a few seasons where he nearly dominated the NHL and moved around often in his later career.
The next step it a chance to play professional hockey once again, and at the age of nearly 40 perhaps it’s seen as one last kick at the can.