Tuomo Ruutu

GOGOgadgetGuinos · 11-02-2008, 10:07 PM

Hey guys, Pens fan here (I come in peace). I've been a big fan of Tuomo for a while, and I've tried to follow his career, but I don't have center ice or anything, so I was just wondering how he's been playing in your opinions? I noticed he's put up an OK amount of points so far. Is he playing in the top 6?

Last year, I remember Chicago fans saying his scoring potential is pretty much gone after the injuries, but he still works hard out there and plays well defensively. Is this pretty accurate or does anyone think he can return to his pre-injury form?

Thanks in advance and good luck the rest of the year! (unless your playing the Pens

)

(Oh yeah, just a disclaimer: This isn't fantasy related. I was just curious as to how and where he's been playing.)

Edit: Lol, didn't see the other Tuomo Ruutu thread further down the page. Didn't really answer any of my questions, though. Hopefully I can get some answers through the sarcasm in this one!

AmericanSoldier15U · 11-03-2008, 12:05 AM

Well, he is playing on the top line right now with Staal and Samsonov/Whitney (it seems to switch each game).

In my opinion, he has been fairly good. He is grinding, that is for sure, but if we were completely healthy, I am not sure he woul dbe on the top line. I may be mistaken, but I am not the one making the decisions lol. He has 6 points (3g, 3a) in 8 games. 2 of those 3 goals were PP goals, which is tied for the on the team. I really like seeing him on the ice lately with Staal, because he seems to be picking up where Staal leaves off in terms of effort when their line is out there. He is 2nd on the team in PIMs with 19, after Gleason's 20, so he is taking some penalties, and most of those, I can tell you, were not the smartest ones. And his Even +/-, whereas is not BAD, puts him at 19th of 22 on the team, with only Whitney (-5), Samsonov (-5), and Brind'Amour (-9) behind him. He is 3rd on the team in shooting percentage. He is also 4th on the team in hits with 25, behind only Gleason (34), Wallin (33), and Seidenberg (26). And I know stats dont show everything, but I am the stat guy, so I have to put some in there lol

Overall he is on the positive list of forwards on this team right now, along with Larose, Bayda, Samsonov (even though he is snakebit), Cullen, and Whitney (some may disagree), which, if you noticed, is mostly the 3rd liners. Add in the way Helminen has played since he came up, and that is a 4TH liner. He has been doing some little things, too, that have been giving him a good-looking game most days.

hope that all helps :-D

imayagainknowanton · 11-03-2008, 12:51 PM

He has been playing mostly with Staal, but played most of the last game on a line with Helminen and LaRose.

He is one of the few Hurricanes wingers that wins battles in the corner and goes to the front of the net. Excellent hitter. The major issue with him is that he takes a lot of stupid penalties, especially in the offensize zone.

I think he can be a 50 point player.

Finnpin · 11-07-2008, 07:22 AM

http://www.thehockeynews.com/article...omo-Ruutu.html

“He’s a real strong player,” said Carolina coach Peter Laviolette after Ruutu assisted on Niclas Wallin’s overtime-winner versus the Maple Leafs on Tuesday. “He’s strong on his feet, he’s strong on the puck, he’s got a great shot, he plays the game hard and it’s going to lead to chances.”

LarosefortheHart · 11-07-2008, 07:29 AM

Great article, thanks for posting it here, but you missed the best quote!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryan Dixon

Ruutu was dealt to the Carolina Hurricanes last February and promptly took a stick in the face for 40 stitches in his first game.

What else did we expect when Ruutu was traded to a team with Carolina’s wretched injury luck? It was a match made in the infirmary.