Chicago Blackhawks May Be on the Verge of Buying Out Controversial Tyler Bertuzzi

It's been the season from hell for the Chicago Blackhawks, who are once again not even close to a playoff spot in what is the 2nd NHL year for former 1st overall pick Connor Bedard.

And per a new report, it looks as though Chicago could be considering a contract buyout of one of their several new players they brought in during the summer.

A Toronto-based sports podcaster reported that Tyler Bertuzzi, who inked a 4-year deal in the summer to play alongside Bedard, is on the verge of a contract buyout.

Bertuzzi is playing with his 4th Original 6 club after beginning his career with the Detroit Red Wings; he was traded to the Boston Bruins at the 2023 Trade Deadline and was part of the squad that was upset in 7 games by the Florida Panthers.

He then signed a 1-year, $5 million deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs and helped them reach the postseason, where they were eliminated in 7 games by his former team, the Bruins.

Bertuzzi then secured the longest deal of his career, a 4 year, $22 million deal with Chicago for an AAV (average annual value) of $5.5 million.

He's scored 41 points (20G, 21A) in 73 games this year, which could ultimately be his 1st and only with Chicago. If they were to buy him out, they'd owe him a base salary of $1,083,333 over each of the next 8 years; he would also count $3,583,333 against the cap next year, $2,783,333 for 2 years after that, and then $1,083,333 through 2032.