Todd Bertuzzi's time in Anaheim is likely coming to an end after just one season. (Jerry Lai/Associated Press)The Anaheim Ducks placed forward Todd Bertuzzi on unconditional waivers on Friday after just one season with the club.
Bertuzzi scored 14 goals and 26 assists in 68 games with a plus-8 rating the past season. He signed a two-year, $8-million US contract as a free agent with Anaheim last summer after spending a season marred by injury with Florida and then Detroit.
The move allows the Ducks to make room under the salary cap for, among other things, trying to re-sign restricted free agent Corey Perry, Ducks spokesperson Alex Gilchrist said.
"Todd Bertuzzi is a quality person who we believe can still play at the NHL level," Ducks general manager Brian Burke said in a statement. "Unfortunately, we are handcuffed by our salary cap situation. We thank him for his efforts last year and wish him the best of luck in the future."
The Sudbury, Ont., native has 240 goals, 340 assists and 1,147 penalty minutes in 793 career games after being drafted 23rd overall by the New York Islanders in 1993.
Bertuzzi, 33, enjoyed his greatest success with the Vancouver Canucks with career highs in 2002-03 when he scored 46 goals and 51 assists. He was a member of Canada's team at the 2006 Torino Olympics.
Bertuzzi is also facing a lawsuit filed in the Ontario court system by former Colorado Avalanche player Steve Moore. Moore is seeking civil damages from Bertuzzi stemming from a 2004 on-ice assault.
Criminal charges filed against Bertuzzi in Vancouver as a result of the incident led to Bertuzzi pleading guilty and receiving a sentence of one year's probation plus community service.
The Ducks are interested in clearing cap space due to a number of long-term contract commitments. Veteran defenceman Scott Niedermayer, who confirmed on Thursday he would return for another season, will earn $6.75 million.
If not picked up on waivers by another club, the Ducks can buy Bertuzzi out at a cost of $2.7 million, which they can spread out over two years.
