With any luck, the "incident" that has hounded Todd Bertuzzi for more than two years will fade away now that he's on the other end of the NHL world.

 

At least that's his hope, now that he's had time to adjust to the trade that brought him to the Florida Panthers from the Vancouver Canucks last month.

 

Being sent to Florida gives Todd Bertuzzi a chance for a fresh start. (Getty Images)

Being sent to Florida gives Todd Bertuzzi a chance for a fresh start. (Getty Images)

Bertuzzi came to the Panthers with goalie Alex Auld and defenseman Bryan Allen for star goalie Roberto Luongo and young defenseman Lukas Krajicek, a blockbuster deal that saw each team give up an elite player who had worn out his welcome.

 

Luongo's problems were mainly about his contract, but Bertuzzi had become the most notorious player in the league because of his neck-breaking attack on Colorado's Steve Moore in 2004. The incident cost Bertuzzi more than a season in suspension time, millions in salary and legal fees and much of his reputation, while remaining a distraction that hung around him and the Canucks throughout a disappointing 2005-06 season.

 

On an individual level, Bertuzzi had a decent season with 25 goals and 71 points, but he had several extended slumps and his totals were far below the peak years he enjoyed earlier in the decade. Worse, the Canucks fell apart during the stretch and missed the playoffs, and Bertuzzi became one of the scapegoats.

 

Even so, he says he was shocked when told he had been moved.

 

"I wanted to come back and I expected to come back for another year," Bertuzzi said during his first visit to Florida, for a fan event. "In my mind, I was coming back for another year. I had my house there, my kids were in school, but that's what happens when you don't win. You make changes.

 

"They're making lots of changes there, but I think I needed that kick in the ass to get going again, and this is the opportunity. Maybe a fresh start is what I needed."

 

To get it, Bertuzzi probably couldn't ask for a better place than Florida. The Panthers have a core of young, talented players, several good veteran leaders and perhaps most important, they play in a place where hockey gets so little attention, it often doesn't even register on local sports radar screen.

 

"It's perfect for him to be here to play his game, and to be able to live his life outside the rink will be really nice," said Auld, who was Vancouver's No. 1 goaltender most of last season. "He'll do really well in this environment."

 

Bertuzzi didn't deny he was looking forward to playing in a different kind of atmosphere after spending seven seasons in the hockey-charged surroundings of Vancouver, where fans easily recognize players on the street and the media scrutiny can be overwhelming.

 

"Canada is all hockey, all the time. ... When you go in a slump there, you go in a slump for a very long time because you have some very nice gentlemen reminding you of it constantly," Bertuzzi laughed. "I know everybody's just got a job to do, but it can get uncomfortable."

 

Particularly when he repeatedly had to address a subject he was trying to put behind him. Bertuzzi not only had to deal with the questions in Vancouver; since the Canucks play in the Northwest Division, there were hockey hot-bed markets like Calgary, Edmonton and, of course, Colorado to face on a regular basis. Over the course of the season, the constant barrage led to some surly exchanges.

 

"Sure it added up. It was stressful," Bertuzzi said. "Everywhere you went, before every game it was a focus, but to be honest I think everybody blew this out of proportion with me and the media.

 

"Put yourself in someone else's shoes when they're asked the same question, day in, day out. I regret what happened. It was a big mistake, but I can't change the answer a hundred different ways. At certain times, it's like, 'OK. Uncle. How many times do you want me to re-word the answer?'

 

"I'm not looking for any pity because they have a job to do. You've got to respect it and deal with it."

 

What Bertuzzi -- in the last year of a contract that will pay him a team-high $5.27 million this season -- needs to deal with most is getting his game back to where it was before 2004. The 6-foot-3, 245-pound right winger was one of the NHL's top power forwards for several seasons, a big goal scorer who could get to the net by going around defensemen -- or through them, if necessary.

 

Bertuzzi showed flashes of that brilliance last season with Vancouver, but like many players who were idle during the lockout, seemed a little out of sorts in a game that was being played at a much quicker pace and with far less obstruction.

 

"I love the rule changes, but I didn't come back quite ready for what was going on," Bertuzzi said. "Skill wise, I probably only had 60 or 70 percent."

 

He's expecting that to change this time around, especially because he's coming the Eastern Conference.

 

"I love the East," Bertuzzi said. "I think they've picked up the run-and-gun and that's were I thrive.

 

"When you're in a place for so long, it gets old and bit stale for my game and for me mentally. Now I'm turning the chapter and looking forward."

 

 

 

http://www.sportsline.com/nhl/story/9554686

That picture is freakin' pimp.

he looks dark and scary in the pic

 

I still dont like the trade, but hopefully it works out good and all.

 

he looks dark and scary in the pic

 

I still dont like the trade, but hopefully it works out good and all.

siiiick... such a badass

That picture owns.

why is he wearing a white helmet with the red jersey? usually they wear the dark blue helmets with the red jersey.

 

looks strange.

why is he wearing a white helmet with the red jersey? usually they wear the dark blue helmets with the red jersey.

 

looks strange.

 

Because he's Todd Bertuzzi - And he can. :thumbup