The Toronto Maple Leafs have made significant progress in negotiations with winger Tyler Bertuzzi, and a deal could be finalized with the pending UFA in the coming days. Over the past 24 hours, discussions with Bertuzzi's camp have taken a positive turn, indicating a potential agreement by July 1st.
Recently revealed on TSN, Bertuzzi has apparently agreed to take a sizeable pay cut down from $5.5M to stay with the Leafs.
"Tyler Bertuzzi is super motivated to stay with the Maple Leafs. He feels that he's a real good fit there. In saying that, he's willing to be creative. He's not looking at the $5.5M that he made on a 1-year deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs last year. He knows he's going to have to take less. But what does the term look like? Would he do 3 years or is he stuck on 4 years? Again, there is a willingness to be flexible. That's what I was told by someone close yesterday."
It's rare to see players willing to leave money on the table to sign with the Leafs, but Bertuzzi's willingness to take less demonstrates his belief in the team and commitment to its success. The key question remains how much less he is willing to accept. A figure below $5 million AAV, or even $4.5 million, could be crucial in determining whether he stays in Toronto or moves elsewhere this summer.
Bertuzzi started off slow last season, but he did pick it back up near the end, and managed to score 21 goals in 80 games and that's nothing to scoff at. He would work well with the Leafs.
As Read on MapleLeafsDaily - Tyler Bertuzzi and the Maple Leafs getting close on an extension
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