Bertuzzi coming to Motown

TSN.ca Staff

Todd Bertuzzi's stay in the Sunshine State could be short-lived, as the Florida Panthers have agreed on a package to trade the veteran power forward to the Detroit Red Wings.

In return, Florida gets a conditional draft pick and prospect Shawn Matthias, one of Detroit's second-round picks from last summer.

Bertuzzi, 31, is in the final season of a four-year, $27.8 million contract and will become an unrestricted free agent in July.

The Panthers acquired him from the Vancouver Canucks in a package for goaltender Roberto Luongo last June.

Bertuzzi, one of the game's dominant power forwards, has been hampered by a herniated disc this season. He had one goal and seven points in just seven games prior to suffering the injury.

His best season came in 2002-03, when he scored 46 goals and 97 points with Vancouver.