Breaking: Maple Leafs Top Experienced Superstar Announced On His Personal Social Media That He Wants To Leave Maple Leaf

**Maple Leafs Lose Free Agent Forward Tyler Bertuzzi to Blackhawks: Report**

The Toronto Maple Leafs need to find a replacement for forward Tyler Bertuzzi, who is set to join the Chicago Blackhawks as a free agent. Former NHL and Maple Leafs player Jay Rosehill reported that Bertuzzi will sign his contract once free agency starts on July 1.

“I’m hearing Tyler Bertuzzi will sign with Chicago tomorrow at Noon ET,” Rosehill wrote on X on July 1.

Nick Alberga, a former Sportsnet analyst and current host of “Leafs Morning Take,” reported that Bertuzzi’s contract with the Blackhawks is expected to be a four-year deal.

Bertuzzi signed a one-year, $5.5 million contract with the Maple Leafs on July 2, 2023. After a successful season, he priced himself out of Toronto, despite mutual interest in an extension.

During his time with the Leafs, Bertuzzi played 80 regular-season games, scoring 21 goals and 22 assists for 43 points. In the postseason, he added 1 goal and 3 assists in 7 games.

 

On June 30, Darren Dreger of TSN reported that Bertuzzi wouldn’t be re-signing with the Maple Leafs after one season due to his increased value. He is expected to land a four-year deal worth over $5 million per year elsewhere.

Bertuzzi was drafted 58th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut in November 2016 and scored his first NHL goal in January 2018 against the Blackhawks. Before joining the Maple Leafs, he was traded to the Boston Bruins in March 2023.

**Mutual Interest but Impossible Reunion**

Bertuzzi expressed openness to re-signing with the Leafs during his end-of-season interview in May 2024, saying he enjoyed his time in Toronto. However, the Maple Leafs decided to re-sign Max Domi instead, offering him a four-year deal with an average annual value of $3.75 million on June 30.

With Bertuzzi departing and Domi and Timothy Liljegren re-signed, Toronto enters July 1 with $12 million in cap space. They have 11 forwards and six defensemen under contract and plan to add a seventh defender, likely Chris Tanev. The Leafs also need to sign a goalie, as only Joseph Woll is under contract for next season, with Martin Jones and Ilya Samsonov entering free agency.