Getty Images ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun reports that Carolina forward Tuomo Ruutu — one of the most talked-about players heading into the trade deadline — might not be going anywhere.
‘Canes GM Jim Rutherford told LeBrun he met with Ruutu and decided he wants to try and re-up with the soon-to-be unrestricted free agent. Ruutu, 28, leads the ‘Canes in goals this year and is coming off a 2010-11 campaign where he posted career highs in assists (38) and points (57). He’s in the final year of a deal that pays him $3.8 million annually.
While a big development in terms of shaping the trade market, Rutherford wanting to re-sign Ruutu isn’t a huge surprise, especially given what CBC’s Elliotte Friedman wrote in his most recent 30 Thoughts column:
Jim Rutherford knew that if he jettisoned [Tim] Gleason, it probably costs Carolina even more to replace him. (That’s one thing we often forget to consider in trades.) So, he’s considering the same possibility with Tuomo Ruutu. Rutherford’s asking a lot and is only getting nibbles.
That said, Ruutu staying in Carolina is far from a done deal. LeBrun said the two sides will discuss a contract over the next week and, should they fail to come to an agreement, Ruutu will likely be shipped out prior to (or at) the deadline.
-
2012 Stanley Cup finals at a glance: Los Angeles-New Jersey preview
May 27, 2012, 11:50 PM EDT
AP
A breakdown of Kings vs. Devils.
-
Shawinigan Cataractes beat London Knights to take 2012 Memorial Cup
May 27, 2012, 11:06 PM EDT
Getty Images
Also: air horns.
-
Anze Kopitar’s run to Stanley Cup finals creates “pretty big buzz” in Slovenia
May 27, 2012, 10:26 PM EDT
Getty Images
If you’re there and rooting against the Kings, you’re one serious contrarian.
-
Reports: Ducks might file tampering charge regarding Justin Schultz
May 27, 2012, 10:00 PM EDT
AP
Another rumor points to Schultz becoming a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
-
Getty Images
That Penguins-Flyers series made things kind of screwy.
-
Reasons to root for the Kings, Devils in 2012 Stanley Cup finals
May 27, 2012, 8:02 PM EDT
Getty Images
For those who don’t have a horse in this race.
-
Top prospect Grigorenko looks forward to making future teams look bad for skipping him
May 27, 2012, 7:21 PM EDT
Getty Images
He might go second overall in the draft or as late as 20.
-
Getty Images
You know you were wondering the same thing, don’t deny it.
-
Getty Images
James Reimer didn’t exactly cut it but is he the answer?
-
AP
“Perhaps we had all been convinced we would win before the tie actually started. And that might also have been a problem.”
-
Getty Images
DeBoer: “He’s here to win. He’s a team-first guy. He’s very unselfish and he’s just a great person.”
-
Getty Images
Here are three guys from each team to consider and vote on.
-
Getty Images
It dates back to 2004 in junior hockey in Kitchener, Ontario.
-
Lou Lamoriello couldn’t be happier to have the Devils back in the finals
May 27, 2012, 11:15 AM EDT
Getty Images
‘We’ve had teams that had success during the regular season, but just couldn’t get through the playoffs for some reason.”
-
Getty Images
The Blue Jackets captain is looking at getting dealt at the draft or after July 1.
-
PHT Morning Skate: Where the Kings are the oddsmakers’ favorites
May 27, 2012, 9:55 AM EDT
AP
A bit of motivation for New Jersey thanks to the gamblers? That and more in the Morning Skate.
-
Should the Devils surrender their 2012 first-rounder to the NHL?
May 26, 2012, 11:11 PM EDT
AP
They still owe a pick as punishment for their initial attempt to sign Ilya Kovalchuk.
-
Parise helped convince Devils to let players sleep at home before playoff home games
May 26, 2012, 10:33 PM EDT
AP
There was a time when they would stay in hotels in the postseason even before contests in New Jersey.
-
A rundown of the some of the most noteworthy winners.
-
Getty Images
Either one will best New Jersey in 1995, who won after capturing the Eastern Conference’s fifth seed.
NHL Playoffs Channel Finder
