Todd Bertuzzi Heading Home To Detroit, PTO Status Unknown

Interesting news with Todd Bertuzzi’s PTO came out today. Todd Bertuzzi is heading home to Detroit to have his knee evaluated, where surgery may be required.

The speculation, originally coming from former Senshot editor, Jared Crozier with details about Bertuzzi’s supposed injury this morning.

Jared also followed up the initial thoughts with the fact that Bertuzzi tried to play through it, but may have to look to move on in his career.

Bertuzzi is set to turn 40 in February, and after this latest set-back during an attempted come back.. it may be time to call it a career. He did see action in two AHL games, recording no points and being a -3.

An interesting quote came out from Bertuzzi after his 1st AHL game, where he claimed his ultimate goal was to get back into the NHL.

"I’m not going to lie to you, the reason I am here is to play in the NHL…"

The quote may seem ambitious for a guy about to turn 40, but with Bertuzzi’s size and skill, one of the league’s first power forwards had the potential to step back into a role somewhere, likely a contending team or one battling injury.

Bertuzzi’s PTO is still in effect, with nothing confirmed in the way of a termination yet. However, by the sounds of things it could be knee surgery that is required. Likely meaning that this is something that has bugged Bertuzzi for quite a while.

Of note is the fact that Bertuzzi did not play in the 3rd period of last night’s game, and was out today with what was announced officially as a healthy scratch.

Bertuzzi is headed home to see how his knee feels, there is the potential it’s nothing serious; but at nearly 40-years-old this could easily be the end of the road for Todd Bertuzzi.

.. and to think I nearly bought an #84 Bertuzzi Binghamton jersey.

Update: Chris Wideman and Teammates thank Todd Bertuzzi. Appears to be the end. Thanks, Todd.