Hurricanes Trade Tuomo Ruutu To New Jersey For Andrei Loktionov

Tuomo Ruutu still had value on the ice for the Carolina Hurricanes — just not for the $4.75 million cap hit for the balance of 2013-14 and the next two years.

So with that, the Canes dealt Ruutu to the Devils, acquiring center Andrei Loktionov and a conditional third-round pick in exchange, according to several sources. Ruutu came to Carolina in 2007-08 in exchange for former first-rounder Andrew Ladd. Ruutu became an immediate fan favorite, known for his big hits and ability to put up points.

But injuries and lack of production made Ruutu expendable, especially when he is set to earn $10 million over the next two seasons.

Here is the release from the Hurricanes:

‘CANES ACQUIRE LOKTIONOV FROM DEVILS
Ruutu dealt to New Jersey for young center, conditional pick

RALEIGH, NC – Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has acquired center Andrei Loktionov (ahn-DRAY lawk-too-OH-nawf) and a conditional draft pick from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for forward Tuomo Ruutu.

"Andrei is a young, skilled forward who will play on our power play," Rutherford said. "Tuomo was a good player for the Hurricanes and we thank him for his contributions to our organization over the past seven years."

Loktionov, 23, has totaled four goals and eight assists (12 points) in 48 games with New Jersey during his first full NHL season. The Voskresensk, Russia, native made his NHL debut for Los Angeles during the 2009-10 season before suffering a shoulder injury. He returned to action the following year, and was a member of the Kings’ Stanley Cup Championship team in 2011-12. Los Angeles’ seventh pick, 123rd overall, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, Loktionov (5’10", 180 lbs.) has totaled 38 points (19g, 19a) and 20 penalty minutes in 135 career games with Los Angeles and New Jersey.