The Calgary Flames may represent Todd Bertuzzi's last shot at stabilizing his sliding career. (Jimmy Jeong/Getty Images)

Todd Bertuzzi came to the Calgary Flames looking for a fresh start and another attempt at turning around his sliding career.

The burly winger, now skating with his sixth NHL club, made that point clear enough when he was introduced as one of five new additions to the Flames during an August news conference.

"This is a great opportunity for myself to come in and I still think I can contribute and help this team out in many ways and I'm looking forward to proving it," Bertuzzi told reporters after signing a one-year, $1.95-million US contract.

"Obviously, I'm well aware I wasn't the most popular pickup in Calgary Flames history. But at the same time, I think you've got to give it a little bit of time and give me a chance."

Running out of time

Time is something Bertuzzi may be running out of. At 33, Bertuzzi endured the worst two NHL seasons of his career, with stops in Florida, Detroit and Anaheim producing only 17 goals in 83 games.

Injuries have caused Bertuzzi the most grief. A herniated disk in his back forced him to miss 66 games during the 2006-07 season while playing for the Panthers before a short stint in Detroit.

Last season, he signed a two-year, $8-million deal with Ducks, but sat out 14 games because of concussion problems. The Ducks, looking for some cap relief, then bought out Bertuzzi's contract.

The Calgary Flames may represent Todd Bertuzzi's last shot at stabilizing his career.

"His chances could start to wane," says Hockey Night in Canada colour analyst Craig Simpson. "This is a very important year for him. Sooner or later, he's going to have to stop [the moving around] from happening and he has to be able to establish himself again with one franchise.

"This has to be the year where he gets himself re-established. The only way to do that is to get off to a good start and make a good impression."

Making a concerted effort

To this point, Bertuzzi appears to be making a concerted effort to avoid another forgettable season. The six-foot-three power forward came into training camp at a trim 226 pounds, impressing his new teammates with his rejuvenated attitude.

The Sudbury, Ont., native also had a strong pre-season, including a three-point effort against the Florida Panthers.

Bertuzzi did suffer an ankle bruise in a game versus archrival Edmonton, but has started the regular season strong with three goals in three games.

"This training camp has at least shown that he's ready to make that kind of commitment and he looks to be in better shape," Simpson says. "He's the type of player that if he plays with skilled people around him, he'll get an opportunity to succeed."

Return to a physical game

The damaging results of the Steve Moore incident have understandably diminished Bertuzzi's desire to be a physical force. (Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images)In order for that to happen, Bertuzzi must return to the physical game that made him such a force playing for the Canucks.

Hockey Night in Canada commentator Kelly Hrudey thinks the injuries are only a small part of Bertuzzi's drop-off over the last two years.

Hrudey believes Bertuzzi has been reduced to a perimeter player because of the career-ending hit he applied to former Colorado Avalanche forward Steve Moore in 2004. The damaging results of the hit have understandably diminished Bertuzzi's desire to be a physical power.

Moore has filed a civil lawsuit in an Ontario court against Bertuzzi, a further reminder of the infamous incident.

"I don't think you can blame him," says Hrudey. "It's something that he has to live with and it would take a really unique person to have gone through that and still be a big rugged hitter. The likelihood of an injury hurting somebody would have to be in the back of his mind."

Overcoming Moore incident

Still, Simpson says Bertuzzi needs to somehow overcome the baggage from the Moore episode if he is to make an impact with the Flames this year.

"That part [of his game] can't be gone," says Simpson. "It doesn't mean he has to go out and do anything to anyone, but I think he has to be committed in the hard areas — like around the boards and in front of the net. If he shies away from that, a player like him isn't going to be nearly as effective."

The pre-season has shown Bertuzzi's willingness to fight for loose pucks. In the game where he hurt his ankle, Bertuzzi stood firmly in front of the Edmonton net during a 5-on-3 power play when Marc Giordano's slapshot hit him.

And even with coach Mike Keenan's unpredictability regarding lines, Bertuzzi should get a chance to play on Calgary's two scoring units — centred by playmakers Mike Cammalleri and Daymond Langkow. Keenan will also be tempted to use Bertuzzi on the power play with captain Jarome Iginla.

"He's going to have an opportunity to play with some players that will help his skill set," says Simpson. "I'm sure Keenan is going to be looking for Todd to fill a scoring role for this team. If Todd can come out and have a strong year in a big hockey market, he's got an opportunity to resurrect what's been a tough number of seasons for him."

Additionally, a productive season by Bertuzzi could prevent a move to a seventh NHL club.