“It’s wild, but the one thing we can say for certain about the Leafs’ defense: The Benoit – McCabe pairing is pretty good” – Anthony Petrielli discusses the blue line, Bertuzzi, and the bottom six on Sportsnet 590

On Tyler Bertuzzi’s first half of the season:

He is only pacing for 36 points over an 82-game season, so that is disappointing no matter how you slice it. At the same time, they don’t really have anyone else who can offer what he offers in terms of how he works the walls, how he gets to the net, and how he creates space for teammates.

I think there are a number of factors into Nylander’s hot start — not the least of which is not having a contract — but I don’t think it was a complete coincidence he has been as successful as he has been this season with Bertuzzi there.