Canes Trade Ladd for Chicago's Ruutu

WRALSportsFan

Canes Trade Ladd for Chicago's Ruutu

Feb 26, 2008

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The Carolina Hurricanes announced Tuesday they have acquired center/left wing Tuomo Ruutu from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for left wing Andrew Ladd.

"Tuomo is a versatile player who gives the coaches more options at center or wing," said General Manager Jim Rutherford. "He's a hard-hitting and skilled two-way player who will complement our group of forwards."

Ruutu, 25, is in his fourth NHL season after the Blackhawks drafted him with the ninth overall pick in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. The Vantaa, Finland, native has scored six goals, earned 15 assists (21 points) and accumulated 75 penalty minutes, while averaging 15:34 of ice time in 60 games with Chicago this season. Ruutu (6 feet, 200 pounds) has scored 48 goals, earned 66 assists and totaled 259 penalty minutes in 228 career NHL regular-season games with the Blackhawks.

Ruutu has represented Finland at seven major international tournaments, capturing four medals. He served as an alternate captain and led Team Finland in scoring at the 2000 International Ice Hockey Federation Under-18 World Junior Championships in Switzerland.

Ladd was Carolina's top pick, and No. 4 overall, in the 2004 Draft. The left winger had nine goals and nine assists this season.

TUOMO RUUTU'S NHLSTATISTICS

REGULAR SEASON

YEAR TEAM GP G A PTS

2003-04 Chicago 82 23 21 44 58

2004-05 Did not play

2005-06 Chicago 15 2 3 5 31

2006-07 Chicago 71 17 21 38 95

2007-08 Chicago 60 6 15 21 75

NHL Totals (4 seasons) 228 48 66 114 259

Most Recent Comments

I might interject that Ladd is not 'AS' physical as Ruutu overall. It's a good trade, and imo it's a fairly balanced trade. I think the canes get a more physical player and Chicago is getting a more balanced player. Both teams evidently liked what there was offered or the trade wouldn't have gone through.

"not physical"

You saying Ladd is not physical? You been watching the same games I have?

msudawg: Hey, read what I wrote, I said he can score, I did not say he has more goals than Ladd at this point in the season. Look at their overall player, Ruutu is more physical, very good skater and CAN SCORE GOALS.

ladd is a good player but jim rutherford is a smart gen manager. this will be good for the team.and it's all about the team!!

It remains to be seen how things play out in the long run. We as fans and sideline coaches can besmirk or encourage these decisions at this time, but just like the acquisition of Samsonov where everyone except a handfull of us were dead set against it, were proven wrong as Sergei is playing exceptionally well with the Canes. SO, before we all begin mass hysteria forcasting about the trade(s), lets give the newbie a chance to prove himself or to prove us right.

Personally, I'll take the slightly lower percentage of scoring for the exceptionally increased hitting that Ruutu will bring to the team. You hit the opponent and knock him down and that takes a man away from the back-check which allows our pure scorers an increased chance to get pucks on and in net. Simple logic imo.

WRAL Sports Fan

WRALSportsFan