Wings Acquire Bertuzzi from Florida

With less than an hour remaining before the National Hockey League’s 2007 trade deadline, the Detroit Red Wings added some much-needed grit to their lineup, acquiring forward Todd Bertuzzi from the Florida Panthers.

The Red Wings will send a conditional draft pick and forward prospect Shawn Matthias to the Panthers in return.

Bertuzzi has one goal and six assists in only seven games with the Panthers this season, missing much of the year with back injury that he says is completely healed. he had begun practicing with the Panthers but the team didn’t expect him back in the lineup until next week.

In 717 career NHL games with the New York Islander, Vancouver Canucks and Florida, Bertuzzi has 224 goals and 312 assists for 536 points, as well as 1044 penalty minutes.

He will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.

The conditional pick is based on team performance, Bertuzzi’s performance, and whether or not he resigns with Detroit.

Matthias was drafted by the Red Wings in the second round of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, 47th overall. He has 33 goals and 28 assists with the OHL’s Bellville Bulls this season.