Ruutu ready to rejoin Canes' lineup

Forward Tuomo Ruutu, sidelined the last month with an upper body injury, will be back in the lineup Tuesday for the Florida Panthers, Canes coach Paul Maurice said today.

"He feels good and strong," Maurice said. "When you look at the players we have missed out of our right wing, especially a certain style of player, he's got some speed and a little bit of bite and some good hands. We'll welcome him back."

Ruutu was injured during a Jan. 8 fight with Darcy Tucker of the Colorado Avalanche. Tucker had suffered a concussion on a hit from behind from Ruutu in the Oct. 23 game in Denver — Ruutu was suspended three games for the hit — and quickly challenged Ruutu to drop the gloves in the return game at the RBC Center.

Of the fight, Ruutu said, "I don't really regret it. I think I did everything right. Things like that happen. Just bad luck."

Ruutu will be on Brandon Sutter's line opposite Patrick Dwyer, causing Maurice to quip, "We've asked him not to slow them down."

Maurice the Canes should learn more later today on the condition of goaltender Cam Ward, who was to see a back specialist today. He said Manny Legace would start in goal against the Panthers, and a decision then made on which game to start Justin Peters later in the week.

Peters made his NHL debut Saturday against the New York Islanders, making 34 saves in a 3-1 victory at Nassau Coliseum.

"I think Justin's performance says he deserves another shot," Maurice said. "We want to see him, so he's going play here this week. Manny plays tomorrow and we go from there."

Maurice said injured forwards Erik Cole, Chad LaRose and Scott Walker likely would not return until after the Olympic break.