He's baaaack...Todd Bertuzzi now a Red Wing
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE!!!
Just when Colorado Avalanche and Detroit Red Wings’ fans thought the nastiest rivalry the NHL has seen since the 1970’s was effectively dead, those lovable scamps over at Wings’ HQ decided to throw kerosene on a dying fire.
In a move that can only be described as perverse genius, the Red Wings have signed the most hated athlete in Colorado, Todd Bertuzzi.
The Wings announced this afternoon the signing of Bertuzzi to a one year, $1.5 million dollar contract.
Yes this is his second stint in Detroit and little if anything registered in the collective consciousness of Avs fans during his first tenure there in 2006-07, mostly because he missed three fourths of the year because of injury.
But, but, but, but, but, but, think of the animosity this signing brings to a dying rivalry. In one fell swoop and with one vicious cheap shot, Bertuzzi ended Steve Moore’s career and established himself as the most reviled athlete in the history of Denver sports. Now he’s signed with a team that was once the Avs’ arch nemesis. This is sheer brilliance, the one ember that could fan the flames of acrimony that made Avs-Wings games sanctioned blood sport.
As a fan of old school, in your face, no holds barred, take no prisoners, two men enter one man leaves style hockey, this signing is the stuff of dreams.
Now the arch villain plies his trade with archenemy, a fitting turn for one of the true bad guys in sports.
In the words of Gordon Gecko, “Rivalries are good, rivalries work.” And no rivalry in sports during the span from 1996 to 2002 was nastier than those legendary Avs-Wings tussles. Admit it, you are getting weepy with nostalgic glee already.
Bertuzzi will skate at the Pepsi Center on October 4 and March 1, with October 17 and New Years Eve tilts at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. Four games and four opportunities to revive a blood feud, leaving yours truly and any fan of rivalry hockey just giddy with anticipation.
Realistically Bertuzzi is no better than a third line guy now as his skills have deteriorated noticeably. But on the third or fourth line, Bertuzzi will get to exchange pleasantries with Avs’ forwards Darcy Tucker, Cody McLeod, and maybe new enforcer David Koci. Oh the possibilities.
Cheer up Avs’ fans, Bertuzzi is a coming, sporting a Red Wings sweater, ready to skate back into your hearts.
Comments
You're joking to be sure. Maybe if the Avs win a few games and become competitive on the ice... that will renew a rivalry, not signing Bertuzzi.
Rivalry? Try and put a team on the ice that doesn't suck first.
Yes, I was being flippant. And you two are being pedantic. Now go unwad your panties gentlemen.
Never mind the cheap shot elbow to the head given to Markus Naslund by Steve Moore. Regardless of that, good luck in your spring golf outing, Avalanche players!!!
You're right fanboy, the elbow to Naslund totally deserved the reaction that ended a player's career and would have resulted in jail time if it had been off the ice. Good call. That's not even eye for an eye. That's entire head for an eye.
You Bertuzzi apologists are just as big of losers as he is. You're better off backing players who cry because they didn't get to shake Sidney Crosby's hand.
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