Bertuzzi only had five shifts in the second and third periods of Thursday's game in Boston.
Bertuzzi only had five shifts in the second and third periods of Thursday's game in Boston.
Tyler Bertuzzi continues to struggle in the Maple Leafs' lineup.
The 28-year-old played a season-low 11:32 on Thursday night against his former team, the Boston Bruins. Bertuzzi, to start the third period, was moved from Toronto's second line — with William Nylander and John Tavares — to the fourth line with Pontus Holmberg and Ryan Reaves.
Bertuzzi has struggled to find his game since arriving in Toronto. The 28-year-old has just two goals and one assist through 10 games this season, all while mostly playing in the Maple Leafs' top six.
"He just needs to simplify his game," Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said of Bertuzzi following Thursday's game. "Today we had a very simple plan, and he failed to execute that, so other guys had to take his place."
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ot1X005KLLw[/embed]
The 28-year-old signed a one-year, $5.5 million contract with Toronto earlier this summer. The deal came after a few impressive seasons with the Detroit Red Wings where Bertuzzi had back-to-back 20-goal seasons (2018-19, 2019-20) and a 30-goal season in 2021-22.
However, last season, he only scored eight goals in 50 games between the Red Wings and Boston Bruins.
Bertuzzi, midway through October, was said to be playing hurt, per Keefe. He didn't miss any time, but just one day after that quote from the head coach, Bertuzzi said he was improving.
"I didn't feel 100%, but I feel a lot better," Bertuzzi said following Toronto's practice on October 20.
Whether he's still playing with an ailment or not is yet to be seen, but Bertuzzi's start with the Maple Leafs hasn't gone as both sides had likely hoped. Adjusting to a new team could take some time, and luckily for Toronto and Bertuzzi, time is on their side.
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