Ruutu on Board for 1 Year

by Bob Wage on Jun 24, 2008 1:12 PM EDT

Tuomo Ruutu accepted his qualifying offer of 2.25 million and is officially on board the Canes Train for at least one more year. While both sides were hoping for a longer term deal, at least this agreement avoids the arbitration mess and allows both sides to regroup for next season.

Ruutu is certainly still a trade possibility, although I don't think that he is at the top of the "to go" list. Time will tell on that matter.

I wonder if brother Jarko is still on the wishlist for management? The evil brother is more of a loose cannon than Tuomo is, but "Team Ruutu" would be fun to watch.

LSB is also reporting that Jeff Hamilton and David Tanabe joined the ranks of Ray Emery and cleared waivers. No surprise there.

((UPDATE))

I've gotten a couple of emails asking this. Tuomo will still be a restricted free agent at the end of this season, so the Canes will still have his rights at the end of the contract.

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Comments

Excellent. Hopefully he continues with his physical plan as well as his hustle and fierce desire. Very quickly this past year, I came to deeply respect all the new additions to the team.

by SamsonovFan on Jun 24, 2008 1:49 PM EDT reply actions

best Canes news I’ve heard all week!

Samsonov- I would say that all the new additions are now my favorite player on the team aside from Staal, Williams and Whitney!

by packpigskinfan25 on Jun 24, 2008 2:33 PM EDT reply actions

whos next?
laRose?

i really feel we should keep this kid,
his impact is 10 times that which ladd’s EVER was.

what do you think??

by chris on Jun 24, 2008 2:52 PM EDT reply actions

great news indeed. Canes will put the Root down this year!

by neaux on Jun 24, 2008 2:58 PM EDT reply actions

this is great news, team should be well sorted for the fall.

btw, everyone still seems to think we are going to grab liles – i think that would a good move, since with corvo here he would feel no pressure on the PP to be the go to guy.

by Benjamin repenttokyo on Jun 24, 2008 2:59 PM EDT reply actions

Packpigskinfan25 – Agreed. The new additions have been good and given some hope. I should have picked a different screen-name, as I have been a fan since living in CT and going to Whalers games (moved to NC 2 years ago from Boston and Maine). But I am very struck by unique hustle when I see it and when it is apparent pieces fit nicely. Also perhaps a strong testament to the organizational culture of the ‘Canes as a whole. To be able to squeeze a good performance out of Samsonov and for Ruutu and Corvo to be inspired to play to their potential… that says something. Hopefully I am right and – especially given Samsonov’s history – the output continues. Helps to be playing alongside veterans with high standards (Brindy, Whitney)

by SamsonovFan on Jun 24, 2008 3:17 PM EDT reply actions

We might actually make the playoffs this year! :-O

by Canesrdabest on Jun 24, 2008 3:48 PM EDT reply actions

Well….Team Ruutu is more of a possibility than it was just a day ago. They are half way there.

by hanrahanfan on Jun 24, 2008 4:15 PM EDT reply actions

Well, Hordichuck’s no big loss, but I think he was supposed to be enforcer “insurance” anyways if he did sign. A guy like that would have been nice. I think now, with the signing of Rutuu, there will be more all around toughness – enforcer by committee. (Too bad Jokinen’s gone from the conference). I still feel that we need a tougher defense. There are actually a few guys who can move the puck back there – I would love to see a defenseman who can grind down forwards and hit anything that moves around Wardo’s net. We’ve got Corvo who can move the puck, the steady guy in Gleason, and Kaberle who CAN have an offensive upside. Then there’s Wallin, who needs to do something about his game. There’s Seidenberg, who has more offensive upside than defensive, and the Rats who will play full tilt no matter what. Where is that pounding defensive presence that makes forwards think twice about stepping over the blue line? We didn’t have one last year, and still need one now. More so than a point producer.

Still would like to see “RutuuX2.”

by marc on Jun 24, 2008 5:43 PM EDT reply actions

Bubba- thanks for the info about the UFA stuff! thats always good to know.

I REALLY hope we add some MORE toughness to this team in the next 2 weeks! Ruutu was step one- now on to step two. I hope it dosnt involve trading Ruu… but I understand if it does. I just feel like the more toughness- the better right now.

by packpigskinfan25 on Jun 24, 2008 9:52 PM EDT reply actions

Hi, everybody!

I think, that this is a great forum. Very intresting and useful.
But I can’t find the search function, cause I want faster find the topics that could be intresting for me to express my opinion…
Please help me with search function on this forum!

by phychoatt on Oct 5, 2008 4:59 PM EDT reply actions

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I guess canescountry.com – beautiful name for this site! ;)
It is so interestingly here, especially in this category.
I was surfed about 3 hours before found this site. I think i’ll be here for a long time! :-*

by AMistyCrissy on Oct 8, 2008 10:06 PM EDT reply actions