Bertuzzi, Teravainen agree to contracts with the Blackhawks | News, Sports, Jobs

FILE – Toronto Maple Leafs’ Tyler Bertuzzi (59) skates with the puck against the Carolina Hurricanes during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Sunday, March 24, 2024. Bertuzzi joined Chicago’s Connor Bedard on the first day of NHL free agency, agreeing to a $22 million, four-year contract with the rebuilding Blackhawks on Monday, July 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker, FILE)

CHICAGO — Help is on the way for Connor Bedard.

Tyler Bertuzzi and Teuvo Teravainen agreed to a contract with Chicago on Monday, giving the rebuilding Blackhawks a major offensive boost on the first day of NHL free agency.

Bertuzzi received a four-year, $22 million contract, according to two people with knowledge of the move who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the team had not yet announced it. Teravainen’s deal is worth $16.2 million over three seasons.

The Blackhawks also reached deals with goaltender Laurent Brossoit ($6.6 million, two years) and veteran forward Craig Smith ($1 million, one year).

A person familiar with Smith’s contract confirmed the agreement on condition of anonymity because the team had not announced it. Ray Petkau, Brossoit’s agent, confirmed his deal in a social media post.

Chicago is looking to upgrade its staff around Bedard after the No. 1 overall pick in last year’s NHL draft posted 22 goals and 39 assists in his first season. Even with Bedard in place, the Blackhawks were the league’s lowest-scoring team with 178 goals.

Bertuzzi and Teravainen, both 29, are likely to play on one of the team’s top two lines. The Blackhawks also expect to get Taylor Hall back after he missed most of last season with a right knee injury.

It’s a bit of a homecoming for Teravainen, who scored a career-high 25 goals and had 28 assists in 76 games for Carolina this season. He was selected by Chicago in the first round of the 2012 draft and made his NHL debut with the Blackhawks in 2014.

Bertuzzi had 21 goals and 22 assists this season for Toronto, which was eliminated in seven games by Boston in the first round of the NHL playoffs.

Bertuzzi broke into the NHL with Detroit after being selected in the second round of the 2013 draft by the Red Wings. Bertuzzi’s uncle, Todd, also played in the league for 18 years.

Teravainen was once considered one of Chicago’s top prospects. He helped the Blackhawks win the 2015 Stanley Cup and then had 13 goals and 22 assists in 2015-16 in his first full NHL season.

But in June 2016, he was traded to Carolina to entice the Hurricanes to remove Bryan Bickell’s contract from the Blackhawks’ salary cap.

Teravainen blossomed into a strong complementary forward in Carolina, scoring 138 goals and adding 277 assists in eight seasons with the Hurricanes. He had a career-best 55 assists in 2018-19.

“We are thrilled to have Teuvo back in Chicago,” said General Manager Kyle Davidson in a press release. “He was a key part of our 2015 Stanley Cup team and we are pleased to have his leadership and experience back.”

Tyler Bertuzzi has 113 goals and 148 assists in 406 career games, and also played for Boston for part of the 2022-23 season. He set career highs with 30 goals and 32 assists with Detroit during the 2021-22 season.

Bertuzzi and Teravainen also have playoff experience. Bertuzzi has six goals and eight assists in 14 postseason games — all in the last two years. Teravainen has 23 goals and 27 assists in 90 career playoff games.

Brossoit, 31, joins Petr Mrazek as Chicago’s tandem at goal. Brossoit, who has a .927 save percentage and a 2.00 goals-against average in 23 games for Winnipeg this season, provides a more experienced option for coach Luke Richardson after Arvid Soderblom struggled this year.

The 34-year-old Smith had 11 goals and nine assists in 75 games with Dallas this season, also collecting two assists while making 14 playoff appearances.