Chicago Blackhawks Veteran Tyler Bertuzzi Facing Suspension After Dirty Hit Against the Dallas Stars
During their Sunday matchup, Tyler Bertuzzi levelled former Blackhawk Colin Blackwell with an elbow, and now it appears he may be facing a suspension.
The Chicago Blackhawks have been struggling for much of the 2024/25 season without much elite level talent, and now, they may be missing one of their key veterans for an upcoming game.
During a matchup with the Dallas Stars, Tyler Bertuzzi was promptly ejected for a hit on former Blackhawks Colin Blackwell, in a move that could lead to the NHL's Department of Player Safety getting involved.
While the original contact on Blackwell doesn't seem like much, it was the followup elbow that got him right in the face that caused the officials to get involved, as they gave Bertuzzi a five-minute major and a game misconduct.
Despite not having much production this season, Bertuzzi still plays a role on Chicago's top line, but with the DoPS likely to get involved and hand out further punishment, this will force a change in Chicago's lineup.
Beyond Connor Bedard however, this is a team that simply doesn't have the talent to get it done, as they sit in last place in the Central Division through three months of the season.
In 37 games this season, Bertuzzi has a solid 11 goals and 18 points, and despite playing alongside Bedard he also carries a -16 differential, showing just how tough it is to make an impact on a team that sorely lacks high end talent.
While the Department of Player Safety will take a look at this play, it's unclear what their ruling could be at the moment, as they have been very inconsistent throughout the 2024/25 campaign, but with a clear elbow to the head, Bertuzzi may be in danger of missing a game or two as a result.
