Ducks waive Todd Bertuzzi

The Ducks today cut short their attempt to resurrect Todd Bertuzzi’s career as they put the veteran forward on waivers with the intention of buying out the remaining year on his contract.

General Manager Brian Burke confirmed the move as he cut loose the enigmatic 33-year-old winger, who became a star under Burke when both were with the Vancouver Canucks but whose production has dropped off dramatically in recent years.

Burke signed Bertuzzi to a two-year, $8-million contract last summer largely as a means to fill the void created by Teemu Selanne, who didn’t return to the team until this past February.

Bertuzzi, who had a concussion that knocked him out of 14 games early last season, could only recapture his scoring touch in spurts and finished with just 14 goals and 40 points, his lowest totals in a full season since 1998-99 with Vancouver.

If Bertuzzi isn’t claimed, the Ducks will have to pay the winger $2.6 million up front with a salary cap hit of $1.3 million in each of the next two seasons. The club could have $2.7 million of immediate cap relief, money that can help in the re-signing of winger Corey Perry, a potential restricted free agent.

Bertuzzi’s career peaked in 2002-03 when he was a first-team All-Star with 46 goals and 97 points, but his fortunes turned after the March 8, 2004 incident in which he struck then-Colorado Avalanche forward Steve Moore from behind and drove him to the ice.

Moore has yet to play in another NHL game. Bertuzzi was suspended for the remaining 20 games of that 2003-04 season by league commissioner Gary Bettman and, because of the lockout, the punishment was extended to 17 months.

Since being traded by the Canucks, Bertuzzi has played for Florida, Detroit and Anaheim. He has 240 goals and 580 career points with five NHL teams.

eric.stephens@latimes.com