The Red Wings will head to Montreal this weekend without their unvaccinated leading scorer
When the Detroit Red Wings cross the border this weekend to take on the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on Saturday, they'll have to do so without the services of their leading scorer, Tyler Bertuzzi.
It's not due to an injury, nor is it a healthy scratch. There is no suspension holding Bertuzzi back either. He'll be missing the game of his own volition after electing not to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Instead of being with the team as they attempt to take one from the Habs in Montreal, the Sudbury, Ontario native has announced that he will be watching the game and rooting on his boys.
This one just doesn't sit right with me, and I would hope that it doesn't sit well with management either. While the Wings are not expected to be a contender, or even a playoff team for that matter, there's something to be said about being there for your team.
Freedom of choice is certainly one thing - but when your choice has a negative impact on your teammates and organization, perhaps it's worth reflecting on that decision and making a better one - especially when 98% of your colleagues within the NHL have received the vaccine.
Bertuzzi, 26, has 5 goals and 1 assist, totalling 6 points in his first 3 games this season after missing the vast majority of last season after undergoing back surgery early on in the season.
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YESTERDAY
JUNE 6, 2026
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| G | A | PTS | ||
| Mitch Marner | 3 | 1 | 4 | |
| Tomas Hertl | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Jordan Staal | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Shea Theodore | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Sebastian Aho | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Brayden McNabb | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Taylor Hall | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Jordan Martinook | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Andrei Svechnikov | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Jackson Blake | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Jack Eichel | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Brett Howden | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Seth Jarvis | - | 1 | 1 | |
| William Karlsson | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Eric Robinson | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Jaccob Slavin | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Logan Stankoven | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Frederik Andersen | - | - | - | |
| Rasmus Andersson | - | - | - | |
| Ivan Barbashev | - | - | - | |
| COMPLETE STATS | ||||