The New Jersey Devils have acquired forward Tuomo Ruutu from the Carolina Hurricanes for center Andrei Loktionov and a conditional third round pick. Ruutu had been in trade talks for a while, and finally the Canes found a buyer.
Ruutu to the Devils.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) March 5, 2014
Tuomo Ruutu has 16 points in 57 games so far this season, which is down from the past two seasons. He has a 50.6% Corsi, and his negative Corsi relative number isn’t impressive. His contract is unfavorable, as he has two years left with a $4.75 cap hit. The 31-year-old Ruutu has had good years in Carolina, and will have a chance in New Jersey to get a fresh start and finish the season strong.
Ruutu recently won an Olympic bronze medal with the Finnish National team in Sochi. It is the 11th IIHF medal of his career in 11 tournaments played for the Finns.
As for 23-year-old Andrei Loktionov, he’s been a great possession player for the Devils, and drove the play in NJ. His goals and assists just aren’t there, though (four goals and eight assists in 48 games). He was a positive possession player that just couldn’t finish, and Ruutu is probably an upgrade over him, but it may not be by much. He was originally picked up from the Los Angeles Kings last season.
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