[EmpireWF]

Rumors are beginning to circulate that Todd Bertuzzi will play out the final year of his contract with the Panthers only to sign with the Phoenix Coyotes in the off-season.

Here's the official rumor from thehockeynews:
"Panthers forward Todd Bertuzzi, who’s got one year remaining on the four-year contract he signed with Vancouver, is looking like a lock to join the Phoenix Coyotes next summer when he becomes an unrestricted free agent. Bertuzzi’s close friend and former Canucks teammate Ed Jovanovski will be there for the next five years, and because of that – not to mention the player-friendly operation Wayne Gretzky and Mike Barnett run – the big winger is heavily rumored in some circles to have his eye on the desert dogs."

Does anyone think Florida will try and trade Bertuzzi during the year?

[blueandwhite]

I think it'll depend how well he plays. If he's hot-keep him. If he's not-will Phoenix want him?

[ThePundit]

Bertuzzi scored so many of his goals by clearing out people in the crease with his stick. Since the league cracked down on stick checking with the new rules, Bertuzzi's 40 goal seasons are probably over