Tyler Bertuzzi enters the 2025-26 season as a key veteran presence on a Chicago Blackhawks team continuing its rebuild around young stars. After securing a long-term contract with the Blackhawks in the summer of 2024, Bertuzzi is expected to play a significant role in helping the team's emerging young players find their way in the NHL.

Bertuzzi's Role and Expectations

The Blackhawks' organization has committed to building through the draft, and several draft picks are either NHL-ready or close to it. This influx of young talent means that veterans like Bertuzzi will be tasked with mentoring these players. The team hopes he can be a net-front presence who can capitalize on opportunities created by the shooters around him.

In his first season with Chicago (2024-25), Bertuzzi recorded 46 points (23 goals, 23 assists). He also had a career-high 10 power-play goals and 20 power-play points, finishing second on the Blackhawks in total minutes on the power play. His exposure to Connor Bedard on the power play certainly boosts his fantasy stock.

Going into the 2025-26 season, NHL.com projects Bertuzzi to score 46 points.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Bertuzzi has a track record of scoring, having reached the 20-goal mark in five of his past seven seasons. Before joining the Blackhawks, Bertuzzi played for the Detroit Red Wings for seven seasons, where he had his best year in 2021-22, posting 29 goals and 62 points in 68 games. He also contributed five goals and 10 points in seven playoff games with the Boston Bruins in 2023.

However, there are some concerns about Bertuzzi's game. While he can provide offense, his underlying numbers in the 2024-25 season were concerning. According to Natural Stat Trick, among regular forwards, Bertuzzi had low expected goals for percentage, scoring chances for percentage, and goals for percentage.

Another potential issue is Bertuzzi's speed, or lack thereof. The Blackhawks are aiming to become one of the fastest teams in the league, and Bertuzzi's pace of play might become a problem as the team's younger, faster players develop.

Blackhawks' Outlook for 2025-26

The Blackhawks' 2025-26 roster is a mix of veterans and promising young players. Forwards like Connor Bedard, Teuvo Teravainen, and Ryan Donato, along with Bertuzzi and captain Nick Foligno, lead the offense. Prospects like Frank Nazar, Lukas Reichel, and Oliver Moore add speed and skill.

The team has made some additions, including Andre Burakovsky, acquired to bolster the top-six alongside Bedard, and Sam Lafferty, who brings physicality and penalty-killing ability. However, Taylor Hall's departure opens up opportunities for prospects like Nazar and Moore.

Defensemen Alex Vlasic, Connor Murphy, and Wyatt Kaiser anchor the blue line, with Sam Rinzel and Artyom Levshunov joining them. Spencer Knight is expected to carry the bulk of the workload in goal.

Despite the blend of youth and experience, the Blackhawks' rebuild is still a work in progress. The team's youth-heavy roster showed defensive vulnerabilities in 2024-25, and goaltending remains a concern.