The Chicago Blackhawks haven’t had the start they hoped for this season. Despite bringing in veteran players, including Tyler Bertuzzi, to support young star Connor Bedard, the team has still underperformed. Their current 3-6-1 record places them near the bottom of the NHL standings, leaving players and fans feeling disappointed.
Bertuzzi was intended to energize a sluggish offense. However, like the team, his performance in the initial ten games has been subpar, scoring just two goals and holding a minus-6 rating as he adjusts to a new city. This marks his fourth team in three seasons, so some adjustment time is expected, but it’s uncertain how long he will need. While the team’s struggles can’t be solely blamed on him, having a productive Bertuzzi would certainly help. Moreover, his historical performance raises questions about how he may perform for the rest of the season.
Historically, Bertuzzi tends to start seasons slowly. Examining his first ten game statistics throughout his career, it’s evident that he frequently falls short of expectations. Excluding the 2016-17 season, in which he played only seven games, data shows that he has only been a point-per-game player twice in his career’s early outings. Moreover, in nine games with the Blackhawks, his performance has been his least productive to date, with only one goal and five total points.
Despite this analysis sounding critical, it’s important to note that Bertuzzi has often improved after his typical slow starts. His past performance reveals a pattern of consistent scoring in full seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, where he averaged around 0.7 points per game in the weeks following his initial games. If he maintains this trend, he could finish the season with approximately 52 points, which would be welcomed given that only two players on the Blackhawks had over 50 points last season.
Bertuzzi deserves some patience as he navigates a new environment in Chicago, particularly since this is his first long-term contract in years. Previously, he played under high-pressure situations with teams focused on winning the Stanley Cup, which may have impacted his performance. Now that he has more stability in Chicago, it could enhance his confidence and ability to focus on hockey.
While he hasn’t met expectations thus far, his career trajectory suggests that he should improve. However, if he remains unproductive by the 20-game mark, concerns will undoubtedly grow. In the meantime, head coach Luke Richardson is working to revitalize the entire Blackhawks’ offense, which has struggled to score, with only a handful of players contributing significantly. Bertuzzi is just one among many who need to step up their game.
