NOTEBOOK: Bertuzzi's injury leaves familiar 'gaping hole' for Red Wings

DETROIT -- Tyler Bertuzzi's 2022-23 season has been marred by another setback.

The Detroit Red Wings forward missed all of training camp and part of the preseason due to various injuries, then played in just two games before suffering an upper-body injury at New Jersey on Oct. 15 that sidelined him for a month.
After returning to the lineup, Bertuzzi recorded one goal and two assists in seven games before getting hit in the left hand by a puck during Wednesday's 5-4 shootout loss to the Buffalo Sabres. And on Thursday, the 27-year-old was placed on injured reserve for the second time this season.

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"It's a gaping hole within our top six," Lalonde said. "But we've had some experience and some success with him out of our lineup. We're gonna be just fine on the team side of it, but with that said, you feel for him."
Lalonde added that he felt Bertuzzi was starting to "get his game back in order" after missing 13 games.
"There was gonna to be some rust in his game," Lalonde said. "I watched him consciously try to manage his game a little better. Even his first couple games out, a bunch of turnovers and risk in his game. But he was doing a much better job of trying to manage his game, like everyone else. Unfortunate timing."

In a corresponding move, Detroit also recalled Austin Czarnik from its American Hockey League-affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins.
"He understands our system and culture," Lalonde said about Czarnik, who has one goal in four games with the Red Wings this season. "He gets along with the guys. Plug him in easily, so very important to have a guy that can come up seamlessly like that."

Hronek enjoys impressive November

Filip Hronek had a November to remember.
After tallying two assists against Buffalo, Hronek finished the month with six goals and eight assists for 14 points in 14 games. He recorded an NHL career-long six game point streak from Nov. 12 - 25, including goals in four straight contests.
The 25-year-old Czech Republic native also registered his first NHL multi-goal performance on Nov. 19 in a 6-1 road win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Hronek's first tally against the Blue Jackets proved to be the game-winner, marking the first of his career.

This season, Hronek leads all Detroit blueliners with 20 points (6-14-20) in 22 games.
According to Lalonde, Hronek is finding success by keeping "his game simple."
"I think Olli (Maatta) helps," Lalonde said on Nov. 19. "Olli plays a defensive, calming and simple game. He makes Fil simplify his game."
The last Red Wings defenseman to collect more points than Hronek's 14 in a calendar month was Nicklas Lidstrom (8-8-16 in 16 games) in December 2010.

Red Wings' 2023 Pucks for Paws Wall Calendar now available

The 2023 Pucks for Paws Wall Calendar, featuring Red Wings players with their furry friends,
is now available for purchase
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Calendars are $20 apiece, with proceeds benefitting PetSmart Charities and the Detroit Red Wings Foundation, and make the perfect holiday gift for the dog-loving hockey fan in your life.
The 2023 calendar features photos of Bertuzzi, Jordan Oesterle, Adam Erne, Mark Pysyk, Oskar Sundqvist, Alex Nedeljkovic, Robby Fabbri, Michael Rasmussen, Ben Chiarot, Dominik Kubalik, Andrew Copp and captain Dylan Larkin with their dogs.

Click
here
to learn more about the Detroit Red Wings Foundation, which is committed to providing funds and resources to worthy causes that contribute to the growth of hockey.