NHL insider confirms a Chicago Blackhawks $22M forward is set to be bought out

The Chicago Blackhawks would complete multiple free agency signings in July of 2024, and Kyle Davidson greatly paid them all with overpaying contracts.

Tyler Bertuzzi and Teuvo Teravainen could not have been paid by their former teams, which led to them testing the open market and finding a home in Chicago.

Kyle Davidson, general manager of the Chicago Blackhawks, believed he was acquiring a 50-plus point player in Bertuzzi, but that was ultimately wrong.

The 30-year old forward, who had plenty of top-line minutes with Connor Bedard this past season only produced 46 points, which does not even graze the worth of his 4-year, $22 million deal signed until 2028, which pays him an average of $5.5 million per season.

His poor production contributed to the Blackhawks tanking and landing yet another top three draft choice this summer, but now that the rebuild has been deemed over by Kyle Davidson and there's a new bench boss in town, a clean slate next season would have to include the Blackhawks dumping Bertuzzi and his hefty deal.

Team reporter, The Athletic's Mark Lazerus has revealed that the Blackhawks are indeed looking into buying out Tyler Bertuzzi.

According to Lazerus, a Bertuzzi buyout would only entail a $3.7 million AAV against the salary cap in the upcoming season in his recent report.

In 2026-27, the Blackhawks would be paying Bertuzzi $2.9 million and in 2027-28, $2.5 million. The rest of his remaining contract would be bought out in a debt of $1.2 million for the three seasons remaining, saving the Blackhawks greatly while opening up a roster spot for a prominent free agent or a prospect making the jump to the NHL.