Ruutu agrees to 4-year deal with Canes

Hurricanes

Ruutu agrees to 4-year deal with Canes

Tuomo Ruutu (15) looks for room to skate during the Carolina Hurricanes vs. Toronto Maple Leafs game, Sunday, November 20, 2011 at the RBC Center in Raleigh, NC.

Feb 23, 2012

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Raleigh, N.C. — Just three weeks after Carolina Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford said that signing veteran center Tuomo Ruutu was a priority for the team, the deal is done.

Ruutu, who just turned 29-years-old last week, agreed to the terms of a four-year deal Wednesday that will pay him an annual average of $4.75 million. Slideshow Our Lens On: Tuomo Ruutu

“Players like Tuomo are extremely difficult to replace, and it is very important for our franchise to keep him here long term,” said Rutherford. “Along with the physical elements and skill level that he brings on the ice, Tuomo is a popular leader in our locker room. We are very happy that he has committed to what we are building here, and is excited about what the future holds for the Hurricanes.”

The new contract will make Ruutu the third highest player on the team behind captain Eric Staal and goaltender Cam Ward. It also includes a no-trade clause for the first three years of the deal.

Ruutu, who is currently sidelined with an upper-body injury suffered in Montreal a week ago, is second on the team this season with 17 goals and fourth on the team with 30 points. He is also one of just eight players on the roster with a positive plus-minus rating (plus-3). More Info More Hurricanes Stories

A first-round draft pick of the Chicago Blackhawks in 2001, Ruutu was acquired by Carolina late in the 2007-08 season for Andrew Ladd. He has scored 80 of his 128 career NHL goals with the Canes and played in all 82 regular-season games a season ago.

Ruutu joins defenseman Tim Gleason as Carolina veterans that will avoid free agency with mid-season deals. Gleason also agreed to a four-year deal with the team on Jan. 30. The 29-year-old Gleason is in his eighth NHL season and sixth with the Hurricanes.

Carolina now has 17 players already under contract for next season and are a projected $22 million under the cap for draft picks and free agent signings. Notable unrestricted free agents for the Canes at the end of the year include defenseman Jaroslav Spacek and Bryan Allen.

The Hurricanes host the Anaheim Ducks Thursday night at the RBC Center starting at 7 p.m. The cane can be heard on 99.9 The Fan ESPN Radio immediate following Stormfront hosted by Mike Maniscalco beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Web Editor: Aaron Schoonmaker

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RE: Ruutu agrees to 4-year deal with Canes

Great job... Even when our team was in the lowest point of the season (any season) Ruutu never took a shift off, we need players like him, I promise you that most d-man in the NHL know when he is on the ice!

RE: Ruutu agrees to 4-year deal with Canes

Terpsfan...I see you have thin skin so let's pick on you for a while and see how you hold up. You probably have never played hockey, probably only go to the games when someone gives you a free ticket and parking pass. Every day at work you bore someone with your "Did you see the game last night" conversation. Try to impress your friends with pronouncing all of the names of the players correctly. You had never been to a game until you jumped on the 'Canes bandwagon after they won the Staney Cup. I think that sums you up.
- Posted by americaneel

It seems that you may projecting your own character flaws on others. Maybe instead of lashing out against others you should carefully take an inventory on your own life to see what it is about hockey in the Triangle that bothers you so much. Once you have figured that out maybe you could return with an educated post about your findings so we can all be enlightened.

RE: Ruutu agrees to 4-year deal with Canes

Terpsfan...I see you have thin skin so let's pick on you for a while and see how you hold up. You probably have never played hockey, probably only go to the games when someone gives you a free ticket and parking pass. Every day at work you bore someone with your "Did you see the game last night" conversation. Try to impress your friends with pronouncing all of the names of the players correctly. You had never been to a game until you jumped on the 'Canes bandwagon after they won the Staney Cup. I think that sums you up.

RE: Ruutu agrees to 4-year deal with Canes

gsmusty....you hit the nail on the head. And don't forget, even after the puck to the face, he was still smiling! Just happy to be playing hockey. That's what we need. Someone that enjoys playing the game. I am so happy with this and Gleason's extension.

RE: Ruutu agrees to 4-year deal with Canes

I love this signing. Ruutu is one of those players that puts up numbers on the stat sheet, but is so much more than that. Got to love a goal scorer, but his off sheet play is what impresses me. He brings the tenacity, drive, and determination that this team needs to win. He deserves every bit of that contract.

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