Tuomo Ruutu: An option?

[kernowboy]

Looking at the depth on the RW with Afingonev leaving and Kotalik already traded, we have problems if any injuries were to befall us next season.

At the moment I see our depth as being

1st Pominville
2nd Stafford
3rd Kaleta
4th Mair

and aside from Mancari who do we have at Portland?

RW is the No1 priority and a name which hasn't been mentioned is Tuomo Ruutu.

I always thought he was too injury prone, but in the 5 seasons he has played in the NHL (not counting the lock out) he has played at least 70games in 4 of them only missing major time in the 2005-06 season.

In 2003-04 he played in 82games, scoring 23goals and 44pts
In 2006-07 .................71games, scoring 17goals and 38pts
In 2007-08 .................77games, scoring 10goals and 32pts
(he was traded to the Hurricanes explaining the fall off due to adjustment)
In 2008-09 .................79games, scoring 26goals and 54pts

Coming off a career season, he may not be as injury prone as thought and he is a UFA with a salary of $2.25m so definitely manageable and could be locked down longer as he is only 26.

He could become a favourite because although he is only 6ft and 200lbs he doesn't mind the rough stuff and is good at setting up and finishing plays.

I'd happily give him $10m over 3years as I think he could be a decent 2nd/3rd liner for the team.

Thoughts?

[tampabay25690]

He would fit in very well with our style of play....

[Nighthawk]

I like him as a player.

[SabreEleven]

This makes sense. This is the Buffalo Sabres. This won't happen.

[Nighthawk]

This makes sense. This is the Buffalo Sabres. This won't happen.

And therein lies the problem...the obvious thing to do to make this team better will not be done.

[BillsSabresB.C.T. Fan]

Looking at the depth on the RW with Afingonev leaving and Kotalik already traded, we have problems if any injuries were to befall us next season.

At the moment I see our depth as being

1st Pominville
2nd Stafford
3rd Kaleta
4th Mair

and aside from Mancari who do we have at Portland?

RW is the No1 priority and a name which hasn't been mentioned is Tuomo Ruutu.

I always thought he was too injury prone, but in the 5 seasons he has played in the NHL (not counting the lock out) he has played at least 70games in 4 of them only missing major time in the 2005-06 season.

In 2003-04 he played in 82games, scoring 23goals and 44pts
In 2006-07 .................71games, scoring 17goals and 38pts
In 2007-08 .................77games, scoring 10goals and 32pts
(he was traded to the Hurricanes explaining the fall off due to adjustment)
In 2008-09 .................79games, scoring 26goals and 54pts

Coming off a career season, he may not be as injury prone as thought and he is a UFA with a salary of $2.25m so definitely manageable and could be locked down longer as he is only 26.

He could become a favourite because although he is only 6ft and 200lbs he doesn't mind the rough stuff and is good at setting up and finishing plays.

I'd happily give him $10m over 3years as I think he could be a decent 2nd/3rd liner for the team.

Thoughts?

Tim Kennedy

[kernowboy]

Call me an optimist but I think Reiger and Ruff as well as Quinn know its squeaky bum time if we miss the playoffs for a third season in a row, so they might make some moves.

I think they'll feel we have enough depth on the defence at Portland that we don't need to bring in any veterans here but with only Mancari and then Jokinen, Tropp, Gogulla on the right wing, we need to go out and look for some players on the RW.

As for Tim Kennedy, I think he'll see time at Buffalo but I always thought he was a LW so surely its Matt Ellis who might be under pressure?

[JD]

I say bring up the kids and bring in a few solid veterans with more leadership than Rivet is currently providing.

[SabreEleven]

Quinn can improve this team 100 percent by stepping aside.

[User Manuel]

Looking at the depth on the RW with Afingonev leaving and Kotalik already traded, we have problems if any injuries were to befall us next season.

At the moment I see our depth as being

1st Pominville
2nd Stafford
3rd Kaleta
4th Mair

and aside from Mancari who do we have at Portland?

RW is the No1 priority and a name which hasn't been mentioned is Tuomo Ruutu.

I always thought he was too injury prone, but in the 5 seasons he has played in the NHL (not counting the lock out) he has played at least 70games in 4 of them only missing major time in the 2005-06 season.

In 2003-04 he played in 82games, scoring 23goals and 44pts
In 2006-07 .................71games, scoring 17goals and 38pts
In 2007-08 .................77games, scoring 10goals and 32pts
(he was traded to the Hurricanes explaining the fall off due to adjustment)
In 2008-09 .................79games, scoring 26goals and 54pts

Coming off a career season, he may not be as injury prone as thought and he is a UFA with a salary of $2.25m so definitely manageable and could be locked down longer as he is only 26.

He could become a favourite because although he is only 6ft and 200lbs he doesn't mind the rough stuff and is good at setting up and finishing plays.

I'd happily give him $10m over 3years as I think he could be a decent 2nd/3rd liner for the team.

Thoughts?

Tuomo Ruutu is a great player and I would love his presence on this team. I compare him to Connolly, if we are willing to risk it with Connolly, then why not Ruutu?