Tuomo Ruutu

Dobber and other esteemed fantasy hockey buffs, what are your thoughts on T. Ruutu with his new team? The once "best player outside of the NHL" has yet to crack 50 points and has only scored more than 20 goals once (his rookie season). He did show some signs of improvement in his 17 games with Carolina last season, scoring at the highest point-per-game pace of his career (50 point pace).

I'm thinking that the Cole-Pitkanen deal was made because Rutherford felt that Ruutu could step into Cole's role as the team's top power winger. Is this too much of a jump? The Hurricanes top 6 is almost set: Staal, Brind'amour, J. Williams, Whitney, Samsonov and one of Ruutu/Walker/Cullen or Eaves. Talentwise Ruutu should have the inside track since Cullen is a natural centre and will probably anchor the third line. Ruutu did have trouble keeping his spot in the Chicago top 6 with much less competition.

So, if Ruutu does mesh with Staal the way Cole did, is it realistic to expect a Cole-esque 60-70 points next year? What is the likelihood of this happening? I don't think injuries should be an issue. Sure he had a rough year in 05-06 but he's never missed more than 10 in any other NHL season.

Wish I was as confident about the 'injury thing' as you, LeMatt. His style of play seems to be condusive to his repeatedly getting injured. I hope you are right and that he does have a healthy year. I would be surprised to see him at the 60 point level.

Tough to say with this guy.. taken a couple chances on him over the years and he has disappointed. He is now at the Havlat stage, where I won't touch him with a ten foot pole. All that said, he is young and learning and may just reach his comfort zone somwhere.. and if there is anywhere that could happen, it could riding shotgun with staal or brindy...

Well...

Remember the goal he scored against Canada in the "World Cup of Hockey" way back in '04? Thats my Tuomo.

For no reason at all I think if he gets moved out of Carolina (Ottawa anyone?) it will be a bigger upside fantasy wise but being a coveted LW increases his value. If you're relying on solid 2nd line production then I would expect disapointment or solidly meeting your expectations with a bigish upside for the future.

Let the goal (if you saw it) guide you.

Ruutu. Had him last year and threw him in to finish a deal. Drafted him when he was the best player outside the NHL. He had 40ish hot games and got 37ish points to end his first season in the NHL. Before and after that he's been 1/2 a point a game. He's injury prone and plays a physical game. He's a character player that is invaluable to all NHL teams. Brother Jarko demonstrates these character traits too (go ahead hate him, he's doing his job). Tuomo, I'd call him for 40-50 points. Anything above that would have to be considered bonus. In my pool that makes him a #4LW and not very interesting. I would consider him a longshot to change his status, but won't invest in him to find out.

By the way, I traded him the first time for Kari Lehtonen. Recently I packaged Lehtonen, Martin & a couple picks for Brodeur.

I agree with the 40 to 50. And on 4th wing its a steal.

I like the guy as a player, but he gets hurt to often for fantasy. The depth at LW is greater than RW in most leagues. There is likely a better option for LW in yours considering GP and oppurtunities to hit the scoresheet than Ruutu.

I still don't see why everyone says Ruutu is injury prone. Last year 77 games, the season before 71, his rookie year 82. 05-06 was horrible year for him, only playing 15 games, mostly because of a badly sprained ankle. So when a player has 3 healthy seasons and one really bad one he's all of a sudden injury prone?

Anyways, am very intruiged by Ruutu since he reminds me of another highly touted Finnish prospect that didn't live up to expectation until his 5th season, on a new team. I'm of course talking about Ollie Jokinen, who broke out at 24 (Ruutu is 25). I guess a safe bet is that Ruutu should be good for around 40-50, but I think he could be a wildcard this season.

ahh, excellent thread question. i followed tuomo quite closely through his first three seasons... waiting for signs of a breakout. i kept making him my last pick in 1 year pool drafts, and every time i would yell TUOMO!!!... the name just rolls of your tongue so nicely.

anyway, my conclusion about ruutu is that he will be a very important player to his team. i think he's a mike fisher clone, actually. he plays really tough when he's feeling healthy, and he's got above-average skill. that said, if he gets above 60-65 points in any season, i'll be surprised. carolina is a good situation for him.

I think he's largely over his injury-prone days, but people are wary because back injuries are tough to predict and tend to cripple you over time (*cough* Daze *cough) or just really slow you down (*cough* Bertuzzi *cough*). That said, his circumstances are great for that long-awaited breakout. The guy is a lot of fun to watch but he plays recklessly which is part of his charm) and that style of play can wear you down.

LW isn't very deep though, so if he lands with Staal and Williams he could be in a great spot.