Red Wings’ Tyler Bertuzzi set to return from injury Tuesday against Jets

Detroit Red Wings forward Tyler Bertuzzi will return from a long injury absence in Tuesday’s game against the Winnipeg Jets at Little Caesars Arena.

Head coach Derek Lalonde confirmed Bertuzzi’s return in conversation with the media after Monday’s practice, during which Bertuzzi skated on the Red Wings’ top line with Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond.

Bertuzzi, 27, has one goal and four points in nine games with the Red Wings this season. He’s been out of the lineup since November 30 while recovering from hand surgery.

The Red Wings originally selected Bertuzzi in the second round (No. 58 overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft. The Sudbury, ON product made his NHL debut with the Red Wings in the 2016–17 season.

Bertuzzi is coming off his most productive NHL season to date, having finished second on the Red Wings in both goals (30) and points (62) despite playing just 68 games in 2021–22.

Through 285 career games with the Red Wings over parts of seven regular seasons, Bertuzzi has scored 85 goals and 192 points. He has yet to appear in a Stanley Cup Playoff game in his career.

Bertuzzi is a pending unrestricted free agent. He’s under contract through the end of this season at a $4.75 million NHL cap hit and, unless he signs an extension, will hit the open market on July 1.

The Red Wings and Jets will drop the puck at Little Caesars Arena at 7:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday.