Blackhawks Bertuzzi Has Been 'A Nice Complement to Connor' Bedard

Chicago Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno had a lot of great things to say about Tyler Bertuzzi and how he's been playing, finding chemistry, and fitting in after getting comfortable in the system and with the other players.

Foligno led off by saying "I just think his tenacity around the net is something we're taught up in Sudbury. That's the way we have to play." That might be true, but even if it isn't, both Foligno and Bertuzzi have carved out nice careers for themselves playing hard and playing in front of the net.

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"I've always seen him play and admired the way he played the game," Foligno added. "I think (Bertuzzi) plays the right way in the right aspects and he competes. I think that's what you're seeing right now. Competitiveness around the net to get sticks on pucks, to be in the areas that he needs to be in. He plays a hard game. You see him on the boards battling. He's on the ice a lot of the time battling on his stomach. I think it drives a lot of lines."

Bertuzzi leads the Blackhawks in goals through 47 games with 17 and has 27 points. While he's effective scoring at 5-on-5 with nine goals playing the way he does, his net front presence on the power play has allowed him to get eight goals with the man advantage this season too.

Foligno noted that "When (Bertuzzi) came to Boston, it really impressed me. I think he just fit in so well there with the style of play that they had. You could just see the way he complemented the group and I was expecting the same kind of thing here and I know it took a little while...but now you're seeing him hit his stride. He looks more comfortable. He looks like he understands and Connor (Bedard) understands the way he plays and can rely on him being at the net."

That's a huge factor in why he has become a great linemate for Bedard. Now that Bertuzzi has settled in and figured out how to play with Bedard, and vice versa, they are clicking. Bedard needs a linemate who can score goals because of his great passing ability, get to the net, and hunt pucks. It is similar to the Zach Hyman complement to Connor McDavid on the Edmonton Oilers. If Chicago can have similar success with Bedard and Bertuzzi as those two in Edmonton, they'll be just fine.

"He's a great guy in the room. Brings a lot of juice that way. But also on the ice, just the way he plays, he allows us to be a more competitive and gritty style team," Foligno said. "That's how he plays. He puts everything into the game. That's who he is. It's been a nice complement for Connor even, and he's just a guy that's just going to be around the net...You know exactly where he's going to be. I think when you have that, that understanding, it allows your line to have success and he's found some great chemistry with Connor."

Bedard is going to be the player with the puck the majority of the time when that line is on the ice. Bertuzzi knows his role and has been strong, even scoring three goals and five points in the last three games. With Bertuzzi still under contract for three more seasons at a reasonable price, it is looking like a smart add for the Blackhawks.

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