The Canes' Tuomo Ruutu is back from Finland, saying his surgically repaired shoulder is healthy and he's ready to play.
And, Ruutu said today, he will play with the same old Tuomo Ruutu style. That is, physical, all-out, rambunctious.
"That's the only way I know," the forward said today after an informal workout at the RecZone. "If I change my style I'll be playing somewhere else.
"I've always played like this. That's why I was drafted and they keep giving me a contract. That's how I play and how I'm going to keep playing."
Ruutu, 27, played a big chunk of last season with the serious shoulder problem, and competed in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics for Finland -- and won a bronze medal -- with the bad shoulder. Finally, in the final weeks of the season, he left the Canes' lineup and later underwent surgery.
In discussions about this season, and an opening at center, Canes coach Paul Maurice has mentioned a few times that Ruutu could be moved from the wing. While few expect that to happen, Ruutu doesn't completely dismiss the idea.
"It depends," he said, smiling. "I was drafted (by the Chicago Blackhawks) as a center. Actually I came to the NHL as a center and started as a centerman. But I was out for eight months because of knee surgery early in my career and couldn't move my legs well enough, so they helped me out a little bit in our own end and made me a winger.
"I've been a winger ever since. I've told (Maurice) before games that it doesn't matter if I play center or not. I don't really care so long as I help the team."
Ruutu laughed, adding, "As long as I'm a forward."
Ruutu said he enjoyed his summer at home in Finland and is looking forward to going back next month to open the regular season in Helsinki.
"That's kind of a weird situation," he said. "Usually it's sad to leave your family and your friends behind to come back, but this time is a little different. I almot forget we were coming back in a month, so it's a little different."
Ruutu's fellow Finns, Joni Pitkanen and Jussi Jokinen, are expected to arrive in Raleigh this weekend and join the informal workouts next week in the final countdown to the start of training camp on Friday.
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at 
