With an arbitration hearing pending, the Carolina Hurricanes have signed forward Tuomo Ruutu to a three-year deal.
The Canes announced this morning that Ruutu, who had career-highs in goals, assists and points last season, has agreed to a contract that will pay him $3 million next season, $4 million in 2010-11 and $4.4 million in 2011-12.
“We are very happy to have Tuomo under contract on a long-term deal and to avoid arbitration,” Canes general manager Jim Rutherford said in a statement released by the team. “He is still quite young at 26, and is one of the cornerstones of our team moving forward.”
Acquired by the Canes in February 2008 in a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks, Ruutu had 26 goals and 28 assists last season.
The deal that Ruutu received from the Carolina Hurricanes — $11.4 million over three years — was just what the popular forward wanted, said Ruutu's agent, Bill Zito of Acme Sports in Chicago.
“It’s pretty fair,” said Zito.
“He really wants to play there,” Zito said. “He must have told me 10 times.”
“It’s one of those times when players sign contracts, everyone says the right thing,” said Zito. “He means it. He loves it there. He loves his teammates. He loves the weather. He loves the fans.”
At the moment, Ruutu is with family at a cottage in Finland’s vast interior of lakes and woods, where cell phone reception is spotty (Canes Now is feverishly trying to reach Ruutu).
“I had a hard time tracking him down,” said Zito. “I think he’s about an hour away from a fax machine.”
Assistant sports editor Lorenzo Perez has bounced back-and-forth between The News & Observer's news and sports department several times since joining the newspaper in 1999. His latest assignment has him working with The N&O's ACC writers and online news. E-mail 
Comments
This is in response to xpukguy...isn't letting
Fri, 07/24/2009 - 11:16 — hockeyhickone of your top 4 dmen walk BECAUSE he wants too much money "putting your foot down"? Seem to me like letting Seids go is acting in a fiscally responsible manner and not contributing to bloated salaries....you just don't get it pukey.
Ruutu overpaid?
Thu, 07/23/2009 - 16:37 — robotron2084My initial reaction was probably a bit, but you also have to remember that you've now seen the comparables and so would the arbitrator. However, had he been awarded such a comparable via arbitration, it would have been for 1 year contract after which (I believe) Ruutu would have been UFA and the Canes would have had to go through this again next summer with even bigger issues to deal with (ie, a July 1st deadline before he hits the open market). So that's the other aspect to remember, the Canes are paying a bit of a premium because they've signed him into his UFA years, so while he was an RFA, his salary reflects the fact that it also includes UFA years.
As for ticket prices, no problem for me. I've got the 3 year price freeze. :)
Thank you for the math lesson, but....
Thu, 07/23/2009 - 13:05 — xpukguy... just because other teams overpay doesn't mean we have to.
As I said, please do not whine and moan when our ticket prices skyrocket. I am from the school that at some point, someone has to put their foot down on outrageous salaries (both pro and college) and why not let it be the Canes.
Our NC team, our NC tradition.
NFL anyone?
Fri, 07/24/2009 - 06:46 — raleighcanesfanAnybody checked out NFL salaries lately? Peppers has a contract that will pay him $1 M for EACH GAME. The NHL plays 82 games a season so Ruutu's average is only a fraction of that. And if they go to the playoffs, the average goes down because they don't get extra money keep playing. I think the salaries in the NHL are at bargain rates compared to other pro sports.
As for the Canes putting their foot down about salaries, if they do, they under price themselves out of the sport. To get good players, you have to pay for them or somebody else will. Since their salaries don't come out of my pocket, I'd rather they pay to become competitive because THAT'S what I'm paying for - the right to put my butt in a seat to watch a game and I'd prefer a competitive game.
Ice your price man!
Thu, 07/23/2009 - 16:23 — dgooseDid you miss the "ice your price" campaign during the playoffs last year. You could lock up season and mini-ticket plans for the same price for the next three years.
overpay?
Thu, 07/23/2009 - 15:13 — fizzbeeWhat other teams pay (or "overpay" as you said) sets the market structure. If we choose not to pay, we don't get the player.
Teams that "'put their foot down" don't sign the good players and therefore don't win many games and don't make the playoffs.
What would you like to see the Canes do? Put their foot down and drop their total salary to $40 million? That would save on ticket prices but we wouldn't win a lot of games. The less fans would show up and ticket prices would have to go up again as a result.
I think JR has done a *masterful* job this offseason signing the UFA's and RFA's that we wanted to keep and at the same time adding some needed grit to the lineup. And he's done it all while sticking to a budget that is well below the cap limit which will give us flexibility during the season.
Kab's buyout will cost us only 2/3 of his salary and that will be spread over 2 seasons. With the addition of a good 4-5 defensemen we should be set for a good run this year.
Salaries
Thu, 07/23/2009 - 13:47 — GoShelfI think the point you're missing is while pro athlete salaries are pretty outrageous the price we are paying for Ruutu is in line with what comparable players are getting throughout the league based on age and last years performance. In terms of player salaries, JR has done a great job this summer of retaining the guys we need back and doing it at affordable prices. His work is almost done for awhile, now it's up to the players.
Talk about being Pleased !!
Thu, 07/23/2009 - 11:41 — esteban1949You know it's VERY Amusing how many of us here on both sides of the rink...wanted to draw,quarter, JR one year ago...and again in December when he had the "GALL to bring back Mo...Then add the Canes getting players Like Ruutu, Jokinen, and Cole into the fold, that ended up with a very very long play off run...We the fans are all happy, pleased as punch..and have goose pimples running over most parts of our bodies...That is UNTIL...the thing JR did don't pan out...the players the canes Picked up fall on their faces...or are hit with major injuries...that keeps all of the fan faves out...The do we once again what to get the lynch mobs out ready to once again...Throw Da Bum Out !!
Are a fickle bunch or what ?? But in all seriousness...I am so thankful that I never had a job Like JR's...and i really don't think many of us could come close to doing what he and many GM"s across the NHL do. So with that said...Thank You JR...Thank You !! And to you Mr. Assistant Sports Editor...we the fans Thank YOU !!
Go Canes !!
signings so far
Thu, 07/23/2009 - 11:20 — louis12580It was just a matter of time before this happened. Having lived in Boston for 20+ years, I witnessed this kind of posturing before with the Celtics. Red and the late Bob Wolfe would go back and forth in the papers and over the air about negotiations. One side would rip the other, and then it would disappear for about a week or two, then magically the player would sign and the happy faces were displayed. My feeling with all the signings that have happened/not happened (Seidenberg in particular) is that if the team can't re-sign him, Jim will maybe deal for a top 4 d-man. If not, then he'll wait until teams have to trim payroll because of salary cap restraints. This is why the team doesn't approach the cap, so they can make a move or two now or later.
Overpaid
Thu, 07/23/2009 - 11:12 — xpukguyI am psyched that Ruutu is back in our fold. However, not at $3-4 million a year. That kind of money is reserved for high-end, high point-producing players, not 60-point guys. Again, JR overpaid and it will cost us in the long run when we need to get someone.
Buying out Kaberle will cost bundles, remember that. And, remember where the money has to come from so when the Canes raise ticket prices, I don't want to hear a peep from anyone because that's how you pay for these contracts.
Our NC team, our NC tradition.
Not out of line
Thu, 07/23/2009 - 12:49 — JRs_FaultRuutu: age 26, ~60 pts. Let's look at the comps (as they would have in arbitration)
I've simplified to cap hits and took the wingers surrounding Ruutu in last years point rankings, of about the same age.
Clowe (already mentioned): 26 - 3.5M
Kunitz: 29 - 3.7M
Dustin Brown: 24 - 3.2M
Ryder: 29 - 4M
Michalek - 24 - 4.3
Frolov - 27 - 2.9M
Oh, and Kaberle isn't going to cost a 'bundle' to buyout. With only one year left, it will be a bargain and I'd like to see it happen.
overpaid, not really
Thu, 07/23/2009 - 12:20 — louis12580This is not a case of overpaying Ruutu. There's still wiggle room to make a deal at the deadline, if needed. Also , remember who will be off the books at the end of the season. Forwards Matt Cullen, Ray Whitney and Scott Walker. D-men Nic Wallin, Joe Corvo, and if they don't buy him out, Frank Kaberle. Also, Michael Leighton' contract will be up. Don't know the exact figures, but that's somewhere in the neighborhood of 15 million dollars. That will enable, one, to allow the younger players one more year to develop, and, two, free up a lot of money to fill in the blanks. The other thing to remember is there's a strong rumor out there that the cap will come down after this season, and by saving this money, the team will be in a better position to add rather than subtract.
Overpaid??
Thu, 07/23/2009 - 11:52 — GoShelfWhat are you basing that on. If you look throughout the league at the guys making $3-4 million/year most of the guys are between the 50-70 points with zero physical dimension. Three examples: Jochen Hecht (Buf) - 09 salary $3.5mil, 08-09 stats 70 games 29points. Daymond Lankow (cal) - 09-10 salary $4.5mil, 08-09 stats 73 games 49 points. David Krejci (bos) - 09-10 salary $3.75 mil, 08-09 stats 82 games 73 points. Obviously time will tell if it's a good offer, however based on last years stats, it's fair offer.
Overpaid?
Thu, 07/23/2009 - 16:25 — dgoose3.8 per year for a guy who led the team in hits, was 2nd in goals scored, and third in points. Not to mention that he is a great character guy and likes being here. Most of our forwards not named Staal make b/n 2.5 and 3 million a year. Ruutu making slightly more seems fair since he was arguably the 2nd best forward on the team last year.
Ryan Clowe got a deal of 3.5
Thu, 07/23/2009 - 11:35 — C_LeaguerRyan Clowe got a deal of 3.5 per for four years and he's the most comparable player to Ruutu. Add to it that Ruutu does more for the Canes, was top ten in hits last year, was the only player not named Ovechkin to be in top ten in hits and net over 50 points, and will likely end up on the first line with Staal. He's played 77 and 79 games the last two years, and 71 the year before that. The 3.8 million cap hit is right on par with what he's done and will likely do the next three years.
Whew! I don't have to retire my #15 jersey!
Thu, 07/23/2009 - 10:45 — vance203I'm beyond ecstatic! I canNOT wait until the season starts. Just get rid of Kabs and Babs and keep Seids and I'll be one happy camper.
Ruuuu's here to stay! Keep up the great work!
Ruutu Signing
Thu, 07/23/2009 - 11:54 — abramsdougI am extremely pleased with the signing of Ruutu for a three year deal. I think he earned those numbers; and think the Hurricanes have a very, very solid foundation. I also think that Ruutu has the potential to become a 70 to 80 point player given the fact that some of the physicality burden has been lifted off his shoulders. It's a great move for the Hurricanes.
JR
Thu, 07/23/2009 - 10:35 — ocolumnThose of you who have XM satellite radio should be familiar with hockey commentator Boomer Gordon on Home Ice 204. Last night, while giving grades to the 30 NHL general managers, he gave JR an A+ and said he is one of the two best in the league. (Ken Holland, Detroit, being the other.) That is high praise from a thoughtful guy who is very knowledgeable and very tough. I think JR deserves it.
No Doubt
Thu, 07/23/2009 - 10:45 — C_LeaguerJR's had a phenomenal off-season. Improved the team in critical areas, didn't give away anyone, and didn't take on any ridiculous contracts. One more trade and this team will be very dangerous.
Looking at all that I'd have to say that JR deserves higher than an A+. He clearly has done some extra credit work.
Boomer
Thu, 07/23/2009 - 10:38 — GoShelfThat is saying a lot. He either gives us no love or discounts us, so that's saying a lot. Love the show, but I can't stand how pro Rags, Leafs, and Habs the show is.
Boomer
Thu, 07/23/2009 - 12:27 — JRs_FaultI think Boomer has always given the Canes a fair shake, and for my money, he's one of the better minds on that channel. He's long been a JR fan and yesterday was no exception.
Nice
Thu, 07/23/2009 - 10:26 — GoShelfNot surprising - arbitration is horrible and both sides usually leave scathed in some way. This is great news, all we need to do is buyout Kab's, re-sign Seidenburg, and wait to see what Babchuk wants to do (he hasn't done anything yet that forbids him from coming back).
Ruuuuuuuuu!!!
Thu, 07/23/2009 - 10:23 — WAStoutSafe to say we should lead the league in hits next season.
One more good D-Man...and I will be VERY happy.
RUUUUUTUUUUUUUU!
Thu, 07/23/2009 - 10:20 — rockstar15Heck yeah JR!! I'm excited that a deal was done before the sides met at arbitration!! Can't wait for the start of the season! All I can say is RUUUUTUUUUUUUU!
Signings
Thu, 07/23/2009 - 10:13 — Canes73Never would have a thought a couple of months ago that we'd be able to retain Cole, Larose, Jokinen, and Ruutu. Great work JR. Now hopefully, Jimmy can work out a trade to bring in a top 4 D-man.
Now we talkin !
Thu, 07/23/2009 - 10:09 — CanesGoCongratulations for both sides getting this deal done without having to experience arbitration.
This deal seals quite well everything now going forward. Good stuff. Now I really can't wait until the season starts again.
Yes!!!! Good news, now out
Thu, 07/23/2009 - 10:09 — dddYes!!!! Good news, now out with Babchuck!