Bertuzzi Reveals Why He Chose Toronto And Takes A Shot At The Bruins

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Austin Sabourin
September 18, 2023 (7:13 PM)

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In a recent media interview at the Leafs' annual charity golf tournament, Tyler Bertuzzi, a new addition to the team and an Ontario native, opened up about his decision to join the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Bertuzzi, although a bit timid in front of the Toronto media, explained why he chose the Leafs, saying,

"There were a lot of 1-year deals out there, and I wanted to be in a place where winning was our top goal. I believe this team has the best chance to make a deep playoff run, and our ultimate goal is to win the Cup... Plus, it's close to home. Last year, I got a taste of playoff hockey, and that's another reason I signed here. It's the best time of the year, a lot of fun to play in those situations, and I wanted to experience it again and again... I'm excited."

Bertuzzi was a highly sought-after free agent this summer, and his choice to join Toronto reflects players' confidence in the Leafs' potential success.

Additionally, Bertuzzi shared his excitement about his move to Toronto weeks ago and his anticipation for the upcoming training camp, saying,

"I'm excited. I've been here for a good couple of weeks - I came to Toronto 2 or 3 weeks ago to meet everyone, skate, and work out. You know, just to get to know everyone. It's been good, and I'm ready to get started."

While it's unclear where Bertuzzi will fit into the Leafs' current lineup, he's likely to have a chance on the top line with Matthews and Marner during the preseason. Bertuzzi's versatility as a top-6 player could complement either of the Leafs' first two lines or provide valuable scoring depth on the third line if needed.

As seen on hockeypatrol