Chicago Blackhawks: Former Star Reveals How He and Todd Bertuzzi Used to Persuade Markus Naslund to Buy Them Lunch
In a recent episode of Spittin’ Chiclets, former NHL player Jason Strudwick shared a humorous anecdote about how he and Todd Bertuzzi used to playfully pressure former Vancouver Canucks captain Markus Naslund into buying them lunch. Strudwick recounted that during his time with the Canucks, he and Bertuzzi became close friends and often shared hotel rooms on the road. Their rooms were typically connected to Naslund’s, which led to some light-hearted teasing.
Strudwick and Bertuzzi would use their physical advantage, as they were significantly larger than Naslund, to have some fun. They would frequently wrestle with Naslund, sometimes even stuffing him under the bed. Amidst their playful antics, they would jokingly demand that Naslund buy them lunch as a result of their pranks. Despite Naslund being the team captain and a future Hall of Famer, Strudwick and Bertuzzi managed to maintain a playful rapport with him.
Strudwick’s NHL career included 631 games, during which he scored 13 goals and registered 40 assists, totaling 53 points.
Chicago Blackhawks’ Future Outlook
The Chicago Blackhawks are in the midst of a rebuilding phase but have a promising future with the young talent, particularly Connor Bedard. This offseason, the Blackhawks made notable moves by signing free agents Teuvo Teravainen and Tyler Bertuzzi. However, general manager Kyle Davidson emphasized that the core strategy for the team remains building through the draft rather than relying heavily on trades or free agency.
Davidson expressed confidence in the team’s direction, stating, “For me, starting this vision out a couple of years ago, it was always through the draft. The foundation was going to be built through the draft, not through trade or free agency.” He acknowledged that while it remains to be seen how well this strategy will play out, he is optimistic about the development of their draft picks and the future prospects of the team.
As the Blackhawks continue their rebuilding efforts, they are not expected to be a playoff contender this season but could potentially make a push for a playoff spot in the near future.
