Tuomo Ruutu Inks Three-Year Deal With Carolina Hurricanes
by Cory Lavalette on Jul 23, 2009 11:02 AM EDT
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PrintThe Tuomo Ruutu contract watch is over. The 26-year-old Finn signed a three-year, $11.4 million deal today that will pay him $3 million this season, $4 million in 2010-11 and $4.4 million in 2011-12.
Here's the release from the team:
RUUTU, CANES AGREE TO TERMS ON THREE-YEAR DEAL
Forward established career-highs in goals, assists and points in 2008-09
RALEIGH, NC — Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has agreed to terms with forward Tuomo Ruutu on a three-year contract. Under the terms of the deal, Ruutu will be paid $3 million in 2009-10, $4 million in 2010-11 and $4.4 million in 2011-12.
"We are very happy to have Tuomo under contract on a long-term deal and to avoid arbitration," said Rutherford. "He is still quite young at 26, and is one of the cornerstones of our team moving forward."
Ruutu, 26, established career highs in goals (26), assists (28) and points (54) during the 2008-09 regular season. Originally acquired by Carolina on Feb. 26, 2008, the Vantaa, Finland, native ranked second among Hurricanes in goals and third in points last season. He led the team in hits (228), ranking 10th in the NHL in that category. Ruutu (6’0”, 200 lbs.) was three-for-six (50%) with one game-winning goal in the shootout, and was selected by the Carolina media as the winner of the 2008-09 “Good Guy Award,” given for cooperation with the local media. Ruutu made his first career Stanley Cup playoffs appearance during the Hurricanes’ run to the Eastern Conference Finals, scoring one goal and adding three assists (4 points) in 18 postseason contests.
Drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round, ninth overall, in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, Ruutu has totaled 78 goals, 95 assists (173 points) and 354 penalty minutes in 324 career games with Chicago and Carolina . He has represented his native Finland in eight major international tournaments, including the 2004 World Cup of Hockey and the 2006, 2007 and 2008 IIHF World Championships.
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Alright... it's time for me to open mouth kiss Jim Rutherford.
Fantastic offseason! I went in to it think we would surely be losing LaRose, possibly Cole and knew that contract talks with Ruutu would be tough.
We’re going to enter the season a better team and have fortified our lines, great offseason again Jim… way to prove what we all know, that you’re the best GM in the NHL.
I have a man crush on JR and I am not ashamed to admit it.
by Iggy Reilly on Jul 23, 2009 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions
+1
It be even better if he’d bring back the sweet ’stache…
by BenLo on Jul 23, 2009 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
That is too hot...
I’m going to have to take a personal day now… thanks.
by James Dator on Jul 23, 2009 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions
wow
so he’s gonna be making more then Cole? wow
Ruutu better stay injury free unlike past seasons and keep putting up great numbers
He certainly deserves more than Cole! IMO his best seasons are in front of him!
by SouthernHockeyFan on Jul 23, 2009 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions
If he stays healthy he’ll eclipse Cole consistently in terms of production. Ruutu, like Cole, plays a very physical all out game. That style takes a toll. There’s a reason there aren’t a lot of 38 year old power forwards in the league. This deal should lock up Ruutu through the prime years of his career.
he’s played 71, 77 and 79 game the past three seasons. It seems his back woes are well behind him.
by Cory Lavalette on Jul 23, 2009 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions
woooooooo
Excited! This makes me feel like going and body checking a co-worker through the wall.
Carolina On Ice: All Things Hockey in the Carolinas!
Barry Melrose Rocks: Hockey and mullets. What else is there?
well yeah, as long as hey stays healthy.
now with him and Kostopolous (still can’t spell his name yet), and Cole and everyone else we’re gonna have some good physical forechecking going on.
UGHH SEPTEMBER CAN’T GET HERE FAST ENOUGH (I’m anxious for camp and pre-season to start, ahaha)
Tha's a-nayice!
To a noob in arbitration proceedings, this sure sounds like a win-win. One piece of the puzzle left. There’s gonna be some speedy forwards trembling in their skates when they meet this ’Canes team in the fall. WooooT!
While we have a lot of backloaded contracts that will blow up our budget starting in 2010, for this upcoming season we are really starting to get stacked. If JR buys out Kaberle and trades Eaves that opens up in my estimation $3-4 million within his stated budget to add a top 4 defenseman. If he can pull it off, I think we could be looking at an exciting season.
Agreed Dale. The one cushion they have are the entry-level deals for Boychuk, Bowman, ect. … those guys could possibly play big roles for cheap the next few seasons.
by Cory Lavalette on Jul 23, 2009 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions
If Eaves goes, then how do the lines work? Jokinen to wing with Brindy on the third line then LaRose, Sutter and TommyK on the fourth? Any possibility that Samsonov gets packaged with Eaves and Babs for a D and a forward?
Or Sutter spends a year in the A and Boychuk gets a shot on one of the top three lines. I don’t know that Samsonov will get dealt. Honestly, my gut says Whitney could get shipped out. Total gut feeling though.
by Cory Lavalette on Jul 23, 2009 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions
If Whitney is moved out, who plays Left on the top line though? Whitney could bring a ton back, especially from Calgary, and I was all about trading him last year when the Canes were floundering precisely of how much he could bring back, but he is the only true top line Left wing the team has. I don’t know how good I would feel with Sergei as the top left wing
Well, I think it’d take a big camp out of Boychuk to make it happen … you could try him there (like Whitney, he’d benefit from the size of Staal and Cole/Ruutu) … and I don’t think Sergei would be out of place there. It’s not like most teams where the first line goes out for every crucial scoring situation: to be successful the team needs three lines capable of carrying play.
by Cory Lavalette on Jul 23, 2009 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions
It would be great if a combination of Boychuk and Samsonov and LaRose could fill in for the loss of Whitney. Swapping Boychuk for Whitney saves close to 3 million dollars. Whitney could bring a kings ransom back in return. His deal is reasonable and his production is consistent. I’d have more confidence if I thought that Eaves could get back to his 20 goal form (and I’d settle for 20 goals in a season, not in 51 games as he did it). If Eaves returned to that kind of form then you could reasonably expect 70 goals out of the combo of Samsonov, Eaves, LaRose and Boychuk and get by with depth instead of top flight talent on the left side. I just don’t see Eaves doing that in this system.
I think Whitney is a good candidate, too...
He can bring veteran leadership to a team that needs it, he’s under a reasonable contract, and he’s not a long-term commitment. I love him here, but I think he could net us something nice if we let him go.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 23, 2009 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions
I doubt we get much for Samsonov...
That signing was viewed as a bit of a reach. Don’t think many will find that contract attractive.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 23, 2009 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Best Scenario IMO CL.
If it was a great D then yes, I would like to see a package deal with Eaves, Babs, & Samsonov.
I agree with Cory & MP too that Whitney would actually be the one other teams would rather be dealt than Samsonov. As much as I would hate it, I would be at peace with this trade pkg deal with the combo of the 3 whether it be Samsonov first for me or Whitney second.
I absolutely for myself would not want to see Sutter dealt away for any trade at this point. I still have the gut feeling in about 2-3 years he will put Staal to shame. Staal is only as good as Cole can let him be. Cole won’t be around in 2-3 years, Staal will then be a good, not great player IMO. Sutter will be the great one, mark em.
C
I am gonna definitely mark those words.
Sutter put Staal to shame? One can only hope he is still our asset at that point, but I just don’t know where you see that potential.
Yeah … I, for one, would be giddy if Sutter could develop into a Mike Peca/Kris Draper type.
by Cory Lavalette on Jul 23, 2009 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions
I suscribed to the Junior World Championships 2 years ago with my Dish Network when Sutter played and he was a beast on the ice, even with his small size. He was cocky, confident, consistant and knocked around some of the best players that were there. He was feared and constantly talked about by the analysts. Put him in the NHL with his age group who will be coming into the NHL in the next couple of years and players he is use to playing against and you will be seeing a GREAT player for the Canes if we don’t make the mistake of trading him first. He needs another year in Albany to grow and mature and he will become that beast again. Lets not forget he has Sutter blood running through his veins, trained by Sutters and you don’t want a Sutter as your competition, you want him as a team mate.
C
There have been many players who have been great in juniors and done nothing in the NHL.
He had his shot last year, and he flopped, completely. You somehow believe that he’ll be a better player than Staal when all is said and done, but there is no credible hockey analyst or scout who agrees with you.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 23, 2009 7:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Michaellprocton: he had his shot last year and flopped". (Sorry on my BB and don’t know how to quote)
So sutter had his chance and flopped huh?
Eric stall had his chance and flopped as bad if not worse than staal did his rookie year. Staals stats were a bit better but he was also a higher draft pick AND played on the top line!!!!!
No way will I say Staal had a better rookie year if you account for expectations and situation. Staal flopped just as bad if not worse. Brandon played well for what we need him for. A fourth liner that had defensive upside. You don’t get pk time because you were a first round pick or because who your daddy is. Remember that
Now havin said all that I think sutter will be a brind amour type. Real good 3rd liner that can play alright on the second line. Not on the same tier as Staal but That is a great achievment and nothing to stick ur nose up at.
So why all the hate foe the young sutter. Is it time to trade him for a couple broken sticks and a old time goalie mask???
by CarolinaCanes on Jul 24, 2009 1:43 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I ment to say staal flopped as bad if not worse than sutter. I’m sure yall caught it.
Btw. It suck I’m back out on the left coast. There is a lot of excitment back home foe this team.
Our team. Our tradition. I wasn’t sold on that slogan until now
by CarolinaCanes on Jul 24, 2009 1:48 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Sorry, VERY confused by this.
Staal, as a rookie, showed he would be a future scorer, and he too earned time killing penalties. Further, his 6 for a bad team in a full season of top-line minutes is as impressive to me as Sutter’s -1 in a half season for a good team on 4th-line minutes. I don’t know where you’re getting your expectations from, but maybe you’ve forgotten that Sutter was picked 11th. Not 23rd, not 30th. I’m not suggesting he won’t be a 30-40 point scorer who can play in the +/ black, but that: a. is not a top-line profile, and b. is nowhere close to what Staal offers. Now, I never said he should be traded for the package you offer. But I have said I don’t think he has the upside to make us miss him much, provided we get quality talent in return that fills a more urgent need (i.e. a physical stay-at-home defenseman.)
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 24, 2009 9:26 AM EDT up reply actions
Don't know what that was about.
Staal, as a rookie, showed he would be a future scorer, and he too earned time killing penalties. Further, his -6 for a bad team in a full season of top-line minutes is as impressive to me as Sutter’s -1 in a half season for a good team on 4th-line minutes. I don’t know where you’re getting your expectations from, but maybe you’ve forgotten that Sutter was picked 11th. Not 23rd, not 30th. I’m not suggesting he won’t be a 30-40 point scorer who can play in the +/ black, but that: a. is not a top-line profile, and b. is nowhere close to what Staal offers. Now, I never said he should be traded for the package you offer. But I have said I don’t think he has the upside to make us miss him much, provided we get quality talent in return that fills a more urgent need (i.e. a physical stay-at-home defenseman.)
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 24, 2009 9:27 AM EDT up reply actions
Agree with most of what you say here. Only thing I’d point out is Staal wasn’t a top-line guy his first season. He was sixth among team forwards in ice time at 16:39.
by Cory Lavalette on Jul 24, 2009 9:34 AM EDT up reply actions
Fair...
I should have said top-6.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 24, 2009 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions
The expectations of staal where highter (atleast for me) because of his size and shot. Not where he was drafted. First rounders should make an impact eventually (atleast thats what you expect).
and yes cory staal played ALOT on the first line. A TON. Am I the only one that remembers this,lol.
I was never the one that said sutter would be better than staal. and I dont know what this trade is you speak of that i threw out there. I just jumped in on the FLOPPED part of it.
I don’t see how you could he already had his chance and flopped.
P.S. I dont care how good or bad your team is but you are going to have a better chance of making and impact when you play 9 minutes more per game. simple as that. and when was the last time sutter was on a power play??
by CarolinaCanes on Jul 24, 2009 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions
"Is it time to trade him for a couple broken sticks and a old time goalie mask???"
That’s the trade you threw out there. And, as you said, Staal didn’t get those extra 9 minutes because of his bloodlines; he got them because he was one of the best players on the team, which Sutter wasn’t even close to.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 24, 2009 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions
FLOPPED?! REALLY?!
He may have not been the greatest scorer on the ice(with less than 9 mins TOI per game) but he did FAR from FLOP!!
The dude has it in him to be a 2nd line guy on a very good team for a long time. To say “no credible hockey analyst or scout agrees” is just bull… Just because no one says he is gonna be great does not mean that no one thinks that he wont be good.
by packpigskinfan25 on Jul 24, 2009 1:53 AM EDT up reply actions
Is good all you want from the 11th pick?
He looked over his head almost every time he was out on the ice. Again:
I’m not suggesting he won’t be a 30-40 point scorer who can play in the +/ black, but that: a. is not a top-line profile, and b. is nowhere close to what Staal offers.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 24, 2009 9:28 AM EDT up reply actions
I disagree that he looked over his head, though. He looked fine. He’s just not a scorer. IMO, he was the best under-20 defensive forward to play since Jordan Staal. Just needs to work on his faceoffs.
by Cory Lavalette on Jul 24, 2009 9:36 AM EDT up reply actions
It works like that in hockey… sometimes all you get from your #1 pick is good.
The fact that he played in the NHL right away(a rarity for anyone that does not got #1-#3) was enough to think he did more then FLOP.
by packpigskinfan25 on Jul 24, 2009 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Right away?
First, he spent his first year after he got drafted in the minors. Secondly, the only reason he stayed up as long as he did was that they couldn’t send him to the A.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 24, 2009 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions
he was selected in 07-08 and played in Juniors…
I understand the reason he stuck with the Canes for so long, but he was good enough to keep from sending him to FL.
by packpigskinfan25 on Jul 24, 2009 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes, I meant juniors.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 24, 2009 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree with you that Sutter needs to marinate a little in the AHL, and he is a valuable part of our franchise. Any trade I would personally make would ideally not involve him, but I could definitely think of some realistic deals that I wouldn’t mind him being a part of.
I just don’t see his ceiling as being MORE valuable than Staal. Like I said, if that turns out to be the case, here is to hoping he is still a part of our organization.
He was a presence … but IIRC he had one assist in seven games. He’s never going to be a top-of-the-lineup scorer. Like I said before, that doesn’t mean there’s not value in what he brings. But to get value you need to trade value.
by Cory Lavalette on Jul 23, 2009 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions
So when Staal was putting up a point a game in Oct., Dec., and Feb....
What exactly did Cole have to do with that?
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 23, 2009 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Consider his position, salary, face of the franchise, age.
When a player is the "face of the franchise, is paid mega millions, is young, healthy, and an experienced player I expect more than Staal gave this team prior to Cole’s return. Staal is a good player, he just doesn’t earn the respect of what he is labeled and paid for this team. So what that he had a point a game, he should have had a point a game and +50 goals last season. His greatest games prior to Cole were against light weight teams (ex: Atlanta). A player of his caliber should be able to be confident and stand strong for his team consistantly with or without a winger lifting him and protecting him at nauseum. If he made half as much money and was just an important part of the team, instead of the face of the team I would not complain about him. Be a Staal lover, that’s what hockey is all about, but I choose not to be blinded by smoke and mirrors when it comes to Staal and his performance without a Cole at his side. When Cole is gone, Staal will be like a good Whitney & Samsonov player, not the leader of this team IMO.
C
50 goals?
Post-lockout, there have been no more than five players in a season to reach that mark. To expect that is ridiculous. Further, the notion that Staal only had his best games against “light weight teams” is just wrong. In 40 games against playoff teams, he scored 32 points.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 23, 2009 7:13 PM EDT up reply actions
well said MP. Like bubba said (paraphrasing) " lets let the new contract kick in before we start judging him by it"
Staal has the ability to take over a game, the way not many people do. I know it was only atlanta and they should probably be regulated to the echl or something but do you remember the hat trick he had in the third period to trade goals with the other team? two points are two points i dont care how you get em.
and when it really matters is in the play offs and as MP said above he shines there aswell.
btw Staal hasnt played with cole in the playoffs much. They started out this run together and MO changed it up quite a bit towards the end. maybe 15 games where they played on the same line for almost the whole game??
Staal also did not get the opportunity to play with cole in 06 except for two games
by CarolinaCanes on Jul 24, 2009 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Not sure if I've said this before
But your name “Hanrahanfan” has got to be the greatest SN for a hockey board ever. Is there anyway your wife’s name is Susan?
updated the salary chart. The cap number is up to 54.7 million. That’s probably as close to hitting the cap limit as this team has ever been.
http://www.canescountry.com/pages/canes-salary-chart
GM of CanesCountry.com
In many ways this has been an atypical offseason for us Canes fans.
In many other ways JR is just showing off his usual crafty executive-of-the-year caliber brain.
by Iggy Reilly on Jul 23, 2009 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions
Quick Question
I thought Boychuk and Sutter’s cap hit was higher than $875,000 because of their signing bonus or something. I read their cap hit was $1,225,000. I could be wrong.
Hmm...
I like that he’s back long-term, but for those hoping to see something like the Clowe deal, it wasn’t exactly that.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
It’s very similar to Clowe’s IMO. Clowe got an extra year, Ruutu got a little more (on average) … but I think Ruutu’s the better player.
by Cory Lavalette on Jul 23, 2009 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions
But wouldn't that extra year be of more value to the team than the player?
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 23, 2009 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m not so sure that an extra year is more valuable to the team in Ruutu’s case. Power forwards like Ruutu and Cole always put GMs in tough spots. On the one hand a good one makes a team instantly better, which makes them expensive. On the other hand if they’re playing the right way there will be injuries and potentially serious ones, which makes a lengthy contract a potential back breaker for a team.
Personally, I like the length. I think four years would cost a lot more. Additionally this allows the Canes to keep Ruutu through the next two off-seasons when a number of contracts come off the books. It also gives management time to see how the younger kids fit in to the system and what needs they need to address at that point.
My point was...
I think he should either have gotten a shorter deal or more money than Clowe. Not both.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 23, 2009 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions
"Yes, son there really is a Hockey Santa Claus and his real name is JR."
I called my son and told him this today. If you see him at a game with a sign that says
“I BELIEVE” it won’t just be about him believing in the Canes.
WOOO HOOO! Watch out Pens, Rutuu is coming back to you soon!
Go Canes!
Also, Bubba spoke to Ruutu’s agent and said he’ll try to get something up later.
by Cory Lavalette on Jul 23, 2009 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions
nice interview
I wish we were privy to more of the “behind closed doors” part of the deal. I guess its just as well. At the end of the day he is a cane. But ive always enjoyed the little bits i can get on negotiations.
are the terms about what everyone eles was thinking?
I don’t mind it. the way contracts are going now it seems about right. I just am a little skittish (SP) on this deal because it is so close to coles deal in 2006. only 600k difference. Cole on the other hand had done more (but was older) at that time in his career. One thing i can say about RU is that he might not take over a game the way cole does (or atleast used to) but he is far more consistent on a night to night, shift to shift basis. So I guess all in all I’m happy with it.
Going into this, I took the “what ever it takes” mind set. so all in all im stoked
by CarolinaCanes on Jul 23, 2009 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions
FINALLY I can stop coming to this freaking blog everyday. Four or five times a day (min). I check from my phone about every hour and then I check from my computer when I wander into the computer room. Its a necessary evil.
NO MORE!!!! Ruutu is finally signed and I have no more need for this second rate site.
..
…
…
…
AAHHHH Who am I kiddin? We will all be gathered round the Blog telling stories of ’ol and dreaming of the season. Everyday, Four or Five times a day. for the rest of the off season.
that was obviously said in jest by the way.
i find my self here way too much through out the day. always checking in to see if RU got signed yet.
OH HAPPY DAY!! OH HAPPY DAY!!!!
by CarolinaCanes on Jul 23, 2009 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Sweet
And just listening to the interview with Mike gets the adrenaline going!
He’s happy, we’re happy… that just leaves one question:
WHEN IS IT SEPTEMBER?!?!?!
by Andrea's evil twin on Jul 23, 2009 2:07 PM EDT reply actions
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