Tyler Bertuzzi will not be returning to the Toronto Maple Leafs, with the expectation being that Bertuzzi will be commanding a hefty, long-term contract elsewhere.
According to TSN's Darren Dreger, Bertuzzi will be testing free agency, with his projected price and term too hefty for what Toronto can give him. Bertuzzi is expected to get a deal in the four-year range, likely to net over $5M annually elsewhere on the open market, according to Dreger.
Bertuzzi has been stated in media reports as seeking a long-term contract, and had been in negotiations with Toronto about an extension favorable to his terms. Bertuzzi, who was signed to a one-year deal last offseason with the Leafs, is looking to secure the deal unable to be reached in Toronto.
Bertuzzi, 29, had 21 goals, 22 assists & 43 points in 80 games for the Toronto Maple Leafs this past season.
