News: Ruutu was suspended for one game by the NHL on Thursday for a late hit on Nashville's Martin Erat on Wednesday night in Game 4 of the Western Conference playoff series, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Ruutu will sit out Game 5 on Friday night in Anaheim, while Erat will miss at least that contest, as he suffered an upper-body injury from the Ruutu hit.
News: Ruutu received his visa Friday and will eligible for Saturday's game against the Blues, according to the Ducks' official Twitter page.
Analysis: The Ducks have not said what line Ruutu will play with, but expect him to make his team debut Saturday night.
News: Ruutu will not be available for Friday's game against Minnesota due to visa issues, the Ducks' official site reports.
Analysis: Ruutu was recently acquired from Ottawa and still needs to get his U.S. work visa squared away before he can suit up for the Ducks. Anaheim plays again Saturday, followed by a three-day break.
News: Ruutu has been traded to the Ducks from Ottawa in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, according to the Senators Official Twitter Feed.
Analysis: Well, Ruutu has to be happy here, as he'll go from one of the early sellers and a team out of the playoff chase to a team that's trying to make its push that just so happens to play its home games in sunny Southern California. He'll bring his penalty killing and chippy skills to the left coast for a team that's making a number of trades ahead of the deadline.
News: Ruutu (lower body) will not play in Monday's game against the Canucks, the Vancouver Province reports.
Analysis: Ruutu played last Wednesday after missing three games, but he did not suit up Saturday and will miss another game Monday night. Ruutu felt he would be able to play Monday, so fortunately it does not sound like his latest absence will be a long one.
News: Ruutu will return to Ottawa's lineup for Wednesday's home game against Detroit reports the Ottawa Sun.
Analysis: He missed the last two weeks with an undisclosed lower body injury.
News: Contrary to original reports, Ruutu (lower body) is going to be out a couple of weeks reports the Score's Daniel Slater.
Analysis: He'll likely be back in action about a week after the All-Star break. Bobby Butler has been recalled from Binghamton of the AHL to take his place.
News: Ruutu will sit out a week of action nursing an undisclosed lower body injury reports the Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch.
Analysis: Winger Bobby Butler will be recalled to fill his place in the lineup. Ruutu should be back in action after the All-Star break. Look for him to be moved to a contender before the Feb. 28 trade deadline as Ottawa is now officially in rebuild mode.
News: Ruutu will be a healthy scratch for Friday's tilt against Columbus, the Senators' official site reports.
Analysis: The Senators will give a look to recently recalled Jim O'Brien. Ruutu has managed just eight points in 38 games this season.
Senators' Ruutu Collects Assist Amidst Minutes Drop
News: Ruutu notched his fifth assist of the season Sunday in a 3-1 win against the Rangers.
Analysis: After averaging at least 10 minutes on the ice in 21 of the first 22 games, Ruutu has played double-digit minutes in just two of the past six contests.
News: Ruutu has 17 penalty minutes in eight games this season.
Analysis: Much like his brother, Tuomo Ruutu of Carolina, Jarkko plays with a high degree of intensity. The large number of penalty minutes is nothing out of the ordinary for the Ottawa winger, as he's finished with no less than 121 PIMs since becoming a full-time player in 2003.
News: Senators RW Jarkko Ruutu scored a goal during Sunday's game against the Islanders. Ruutu opened the scoring 6:16 into the first with his 10th goal and second in four games.
Analysis: Ruutu notched his first 10-goal, 10-assist season with his score on Sunday. He had never managed that in his first nine seasons. While it is a nice career feat, 20 points isn't a big deal in Fantasy. Ruutu remains more of a checking-line presence and flier in Fantasy leagues that reward heavily for PIM.
News: Senators RW Jarkko Ruutu scored a goal, tallied an assist and finished at plus-1 on Sunday against the Flyers. Chris Neil fed Ruutu in front to make it 3-1 at 10:27 of the first period. It was his third goal in nine games.
Analysis: Ruutu has been playing good hockey since mid-December and a big reason for his success is that he isn't taking silly penalties. That's good for the Senators but bad for Fantasy owners since Ruutu is mostly owned in Fantasy leagues that reward heavily for PIM. It will be interesting to see which Ruutu shows up the rest of the season. He still isn't putting a ton of points on the board, so Ruutu has minimal Fantasy appeal until further notice.
News: Senators RW Jarkko Ruutu failed to record a point and finished at even in 10:11 of ice time on Thursday against the Flyers. He also spent two minutes in the penalty box. Ruutu has one goal and one assist in six December games, but has only two penalty minutes.
Analysis: Ruutu hasn't gotten into a fight since Nov. 17 and has just three minor penalties in his last 12 games. It's a bit odd since Ruutu is a hot head, but it seems Ottawa is telling him to keep his silly penalties to a minimum. It still might only be a matter of time before Ruutu loses it, so keep him active in Fantasy leagues that reward heavily for PIM.
News: Senators RW Jarkko Ruutu scored his third goal of the season Wednesday in a win over Florida. He already has six points on the year after averaging 16.8 points over his last five seasons.
Analysis: Ruutu's Fantasy value is usually based on his ability to make his way to the penalty box on a consistent basis, but he's shown some more offensive touch so far in 2009-10. Owners in deeper leagues that reward PIM should keep a close eye on his numbers over the next couple of weeks.
News: Senators RW Jarkko Ruutu scored a goal, tallied two assists and finished at plus-3 during Thursday's game against the Lightning. Ruutu capped the scoring as he beat Mike Smith with a tip-in goal 17:01 into the third. It was his second goal in three games.
Analysis: Ruutu has four points in six games and has shown a decent offensive game from the team's checking line. However, he won't keep up this pace. Ruutu might threaten for 20 points, but he is still best used in Fantasy leagues that reward heavily for PIM and short-handed stats.
News: The Ottawa Citizen reports the Penguins tried to trade for Senators RW Jarkko Ruutu, but the asking price was too much and Pittsburgh has moved on to other deals.
Analysis: Ruutu spent the previous two seasons with the Penguins before signing as a free agent with Ottawa over the summer. Pittsburgh obviously would like to have the enforcer back, but just couldn't pull it off. Ruutu still remains just a flier in leagues that reward heavily for PIM.
News: Senators RW Jarkko Ruutu scored a goal and finished at plus-1 during Saturday's game against the Maple Leafs. Ruutu tied the game at 2 with his fifth goal 4:33 into the second. It was his second score in four games.
Analysis: Ruutu now has 15 points on the season and is just two away from tying his career-high. Ruutu has marginal offensive skills and is more on the ice for his checking-line presence. His best Fantasy value lies in leagues that reward heavily for PIM.
News: Craig Hartsburg lasted less than one season with the unraveling Ottawa Senators, who suddenly have a revolving door behind the bench. Unable to turn around a team that reached the Stanley Cup finals in 2007, Hartsburg was fired as coach Monday just 48 games into a season in which the Senators have the NHL's third worst record. The Senators made their first trip to the finals two years ago and now are likely to miss the playoffs for the first time in 13 seasons. The decision to replace Hartsburg with Cory Clouston was made by general manager Bryan Murray after Ottawa lost 7-4 at Washington on Sunday. Hartsburg signed a three-year contract in June. "We kept hoping there would be some change in our performance, which didn't seem to be taking place," said Murray, who coached the club to the finals before taking over as GM. "We just weren't making any progress. We're struggling to keep up."
Analysis: Clouston, promoted from the AHL's Binghamton Senators, is the team's fourth coach since Ottawa lost in five games to Anaheim in the 2007 finals. Murray returned behind the bench for the final 18 regular-season games (7-9-2) after he fired first-year coach John Paddock in February. The momentum of the finals appearance carried into last season when the Senators won 15 of their first 17 games. Since then, they have had a losing record and barely managed to hang on for a playoff spot last spring. The Senators were swept out of the first round in four games by Pittsburgh. The slide continued this season, even with a fresh voice in Hartsburg behind the bench. Scoring is down for the club's three offensive stars -- Daniel Alfredsson, Dany Heatley and Jason Spezza. There has been little offense as well from Mike Fisher, Antoine Vermette, Chris Neil and Chris Kelly. The once-feared Ottawa attack has become among the lowest-scoring in the league, and many point to the failure of defensemen to move the puck. In recent years, Zdeno Chara, Wade Redden, Andrej Meszaros and Joe Corvo have been among the defensemen who have left Ottawa either by trade or through free agency. Ottawa hasn't gotten much production from their blue line outside of Filip Kuba. Clouston will likely let the Big Three fire at will, but it will be interesting to see if he can get the other supporting characters back to being viable Fantasy options.
News: Senators RW Jarkko Ruutu didn't have a point and finished at even in 11:51 of ice time Friday against the Blue Jackets. He did manage to rack up 15 penalty minutes after getting in a fight with R.J. Umberger in the second period and then getting hit with a game misconduct. Ruutu has three major penalties and three misconducts this season.
Analysis: Ruutu is now up to 91 penalty minutes on the season. He was suspended in early January for biting the hand of Andrew Peter during a fight, but he has been relatively quiet ever since. Ruutu is still going to get in trouble from time-to-time and his best Fantasy value still lies in leagues that reward heavily for PIM.
News:Jarkko Ruutu returned to the Senators' lineup Tuesday against the Hurricanes after serving a two-game suspension for biting Sabres forward Andrew Peters' hand. Ruutu didn't have a point in 11:16 of ice time and finished at minus-1.
Analysis: Ruutu is back from his bizarre suspension, but just because he got caught doesn't mean he isn't going to lose his edge as an enforcer. He just might try to stay to more normal tactics. Ruutu has limited Fantasy appeal outside of leagues that reward heavily for PIM and short-handed stats.
News: Senators RW Jarkko Ruutu served the first game of a two-game suspension Thursday against the Bruins for biting Buffalo's Andrew Peters.
Analysis: Ruutu has always been a troublemaker, although this biting incident would definitely be the most bizarre of his career. Lauded more for his defensive skills and enforcer-type play than his offensive prowess, Ruutu has limited Fantasy appeal outside of leagues that reward heavily for PIM and short-handed stats.
News: Ottawa RW Jarkko Ruutu has been suspended for two games by the NHL for a biting incident that occurred in Tuesday night's loss to Buffalo. Ruutu will miss Thursday's game against Boston, the Northeast Division leader, and Saturday's home game against the New York Rangers. He is eligible to return Jan. 13 against Carolina.
Analysis: Ruutu has always been a troublemaker, although this biting incident would definitely be the most bizarre of his career. Lauded more for his defensive skills and enforcer-type play than his offensive prowess, Ruutu has limited Fantasy appeal outside of leagues that reward heavily for PIM and short-handed stats.
News: The NHL is reviewing whether to discipline Ottawa Senators RW Jarkko Ruutu for biting Buffalo Sabres LW Andrew Peters through his gloved thumb during a game. If a suspension is warranted it would be announced before the Senators game at Boston on Thursday. The force of Ruutu's bite ripped Peters' glove off and broke the skin on the player's right thumb. It happened in the first period of Buffalo's 4-2 win Tuesday night when Peters forcefully rubbed the palm of his glove into Ruutu's face at the Senators bench. Ruutu denied that he bit Peters despite replays showing he chomped down on the player's glove.
Analysis: Ruutu has always been a troublemaker, although this biting incident would definitely be the most bizarre of his career. Lauded more for his defensive skills and enforcer-type play than his offensive prowess, Ruutu has limited Fantasy appeal outside of leagues that reward heavily for PIM and short-handed stats.
News: Senators RW Jarkko Ruutu scored the team's only goal during a 5-1 loss to the Devils Friday. The Senators, mired in an offensive slump, got a second-period goal from an unlikely source: Ruutu. His short-handed tally at 8:37 was only Ottawa's fifth goal in the last five games. It was his first goal since Oct. 17 and first point in seven games.
Analysis: Ruutu now has two short-handed scores in the last two seasons. Lauded more for his defensive skills and enforcer-type play, Ruutu has limited Fantasy appeal outside of leagues that reward heavily for PIM and short-handed stats.
News: Senators RW Jarkko Ruutu tallied an assist and finished at minus-1 in 10:57 of ice time Wednesday against the Thrashers. He also spent two minutes in the penalty box. Ruutu has three assists in his last four games.
Analysis: Ruutu hasn't been an awful offensive contributor for the Senators in 2008-09 with eight points in 21 games, but he is not on the ice to score a lot of goals. He is put there to act as one of the team's top checking forwards and enforcers. Use him in leagues that reward heavily for PIM.
News: Senators RW Jarkko Ruutu returned to the lineup Monday against the Rangers after missing two games due to a NHL-sanctioned suspension. Ruutu didn't have a point in 15:34 of ice time and was hit with two minor penalties.
Analysis: Ruutu was back at picking up penalties Monday coming off a suspension for a nasty hit on Montreal's Maxim Lapierre. Ruutu has limited offensive appeal, but is one of the NHL's heaviest hitters and top enforcers. Use him in leagues that reward heavily for PIM.
News: Senators RW Jarkko Ruutu has been suspended two games by the NHL for the elbow he unleashed on Montreal's Maxim Lapierre during Tuesday's game.
Analysis: Ruutu has a history of being a bit of a headcase, and this is just the latest example. Luckily for Fantasy owners, his value in most leagues is pretty minimal, so his absence won't be felt by many folks. He should only be considered in super-deep leagues that reward bad behavior.
News:The Sports Xchange reports Senators RW Jarkko Ruutu started Saturday's game against the Red Wings on the first line with C Jason Spezza and LW Dany Heatley. Asked earlier in the day if he was excited to be filling in for injured captain Daniel Alfredsson alongside the team's two offensive stars, Ruutu smiled. "I think they should be excited," he said, smiling. "They don't get to play with a player like me too often." Ruutu was replaced on the line by Jesse Winchester late in the second.
Analysis: The Senators rather have an offensive-minded player Winchester on the top line rather than an enforcer like Ruutu. Don't get overly excited about Ruutu on the top line because it appears very temporary. He remains just a Fantasy flier in leagues that reward heavily for PIM.
News: The Ottawa Senators signed veteran forwards Shean Donovan and Jarkko Ruutu on Wednesday. Donovan, who signed a two-year deal, has 105 goals and 121 assists in 856 NHL regular-season games with the Senators, San Jose Sharks, Colorado Avalanche, Atlanta Thrashers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Calgary Flames and Boston Bruins. Ruutu, 32, has 36 goals and 47 assists in 419 NHL regular-season games with Pittsburgh and Vancouver.
Analysis: Donovan, 33, had 12 points -- including five goals -- and 73 penalty minutes last season with the Senators. He should continue to be ignored in all Fantasy formats with his limited offensive skills. Ruutu tallied six goals, 10 assists and 138 penalty minutes with the Penguins last season, and should only be considered in super-deep leagues that reward bad behavior.
News: Penguins RW Jarkko Ruutu did not record a point in regulation Sunday against the Sharks, but scored in a shootout as Pittsburgh lost 2-1. Ruutu was also hit with 12 penalty minutes for a minor interference call in the first period followed by a 10-minute game misconduct. He has now surged over 100 penalty minutes for the fourth straight season.
Analysis: Ruutu does have two goals and one assist in his last six games. He is also a shootout specialist, but hasn't been asked to provide a lot offensively during his career. He still mostly sees time on the checking line for Pittsburgh and should only be used in leagues that reward heavily for PIM.
News: Penguins RW Jarkko Ruutu scored his first goal of the season during Sunday's 4-1 win against the Sabres. Ruutu and Petr Sykora broke the game open by scoring opportunistic goals two minutes apart in the second period. Ruutu had just stepped out of the penalty box when Ryan Malone hit him for a long pass, setting up a wide-open breakaway. Driving in on Ryan Miller, Ruutu faked forehand and neatly backhanded in a shot 7:28 into the frame. He earned his seventh assist in Thursday's game against the Hurricanes.
Analysis: Ruutu had scored 10 goals in 2005-06 with the Canucks, but hasn't been asked to provide a lot offensively during his career. He still mostly sees time on the checking line for Pittsburgh and should only be used in leagues that reward heavily for PIM.
News: Penguins RW Jarkko Ruutu did not record a point in 13:21 of ice time Monday against the Rangers, but got into a little trouble when the refs slapped him with three penalties. He was first called for a minor hooking penalty in the first period, then came two roughing calls in the final seconds of the 4-1 win.
Analysis: Ruutu has just four assists this season, but has managed 52 penalty minutes. He mostly sees time on the checking line for Pittsburgh and is a low-end Fantasy flier in leagues that reward heavily for PIM.
News: Penguins RW Jarkko Ruutu tallied two assists and finished at plus-2 during Thursday's game against the Maple Leafs. He now has three assists and a plus-3 rating in his last four games. Ruutu also sought out a fight with Darcy Tucker during Thursday's game.
Analysis: Ruutu has just four assists this season, but has managed 46 penalty minutes. He mostly sees time on the checking line for Pittsburgh and is a low-end Fantasy flier in leagues that reward heavily for PIM.
News: LW Jarkko Ruutu has not scored a goal in his last 25 regular season games. His last goal came on March 14 against New Jersey and he is the only Penguins forward not to score a goal this season.
Analysis: Ruutu is only worth a look in the deepest of Fantasy leagues which heavily reward penalty minutes heading into the new season.
News: LW Jarkko Ruutu and F Tyler Kennedy were healthy scratches against the Ranger Thursday.
Analysis: Ruutu is only worth a look in the deepest of Fantasy leagues which heavily reward penalty minutes heading into the new season.
News: Devils D Karel Rachunek missed his fourth straight game with a groin injury Monday. The Penguins scratches were D Ryan Whitney (groin), C Colby Armstrong and Jarkko Ruutu.
Analysis: Ruutu is only worth a look in the deepest of Fantasy leagues which heavily reward penalty minutes heading into the new season.
News: Left wing Jarkko Ruutu and defenseman Alain Nasreddine were healthy scratches at Minnesota Friday.
Analysis: Ruutu is only worth a look in the deepest of Fantasy leagues which heavily reward penalty minutes heading into the new season.
News: Left wing Jarkko Ruutu and defenseman Alain Nasreddine were healthy scratches.
Analysis: Ruutu was essentially benched after taking some bad penalties in a loss at Carolina on Friday. Ruutu is only worth a look in the deepest of Fantasy leagues which heavily reward penalty minutes heading into the new season.
News: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports Georges Laraque, Jarkko Ruutu and Maxime Talbot will make up the team's checking line for the regular season opener on Friday at Carolina.
Analysis: Ruutu is only worth a look in the deepest of Fantasy leagues which heavily reward penalty minutes heading into the new season.
News: According to radio reports out of Pittsburgh, newly-acquired enforcer Georges Laraque will skate on the fourth line with Erik Christensen and Jarkko Ruutu. He did not make it to practice on Wednesday, but he will make his debut on Thursday at N.Y. Rangers.
Analysis: Ruutu and Laraque might pair together to comprise the toughest line in the league. This pairing is like old-time hockey.
News: Jarkko Ruutu scored two goals Friday night to lead the surging Pittsburgh Penguins to a 5-4 victory over the New Jersey Devils.
Analysis: Ruutu is only worth a look in the largest of Fantasy leagues which heavily reward penalty minutes.
News: Jarkko Ruutu has posted just two goals and seven points with an even rating and team-leading 84 penalty minutes through 45 games.
Analysis: Ruutu is only worth a look in the largest of Fantasy leagues which heavily reward penalty minutes.
News: Jarkko Ruutu and Maxime Talbot skated with Colby Armstrong, who has been dropped to the team's fourth line.
Analysis: Ruutu is a decent Fantasy option only in larger leagues which officially reward penalty minutes. Playing with a skilled player like Armstrong, even if it is perhaps short-term, will help out his Fantasy value a bit.
News: Jarkko Ruutu scored a goal and added an assists with a plus-2 rating in Thursday's regular season opener against the Flyers, his debut as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Analysis: Ruutu picked up just two PIM in 15:56 of ice time. He led the Canucks last season by racking up 142 PIM in 82 games with a career-high 10 goals. The Pens would be thrilled with that type of production, as would Fantasy owners in larger leagues which heavily reward penalty minutes.
News: Jarkko Ruutu posted a career-high in goals with 10, along with seven assists and a plus-1 rating and 142 penalty minutes in 82 games.
Analysis: Ruutu had his finest offensive production in his sixth NHL season, but he remains useful only in the largest of Fantasy leagues which heavily reward penalty minutes.
News: Jarkko Ruutu has a career-high 10 goals and 16 points through 59 games this season. He is one of only nine players on the Vancouver roster to play in all of his teams' games.
Analysis: Ruutu will play for Team Finland in the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin. While he has a career-high in points, he remains nothing more than a No. 4 or 5 Fantasy defenseman in leagues of 12 or more teams. He should top out with 13 to 14 goals and perhaps 25 points.
News: The Vancouver Province reports Ruutu has been moved to the team's top scoring line along with Todd Bertuzzi and Markus Naslund.
Analysis: Ruutu takes the place of Brendan Morrison, who has been moved to the third line with Matt Cooke and Richard Park. Ruutu might be worth a look, as his Fantasy value should see quite an increase playing with players the caliber of Big Bert and the captain.
News: Ruutu will represent his country in the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, as Team Finland announced their roster on Thursday.
Analysis: Ruutu is only worth using in Fantasy leagues which reward penalty minutes in the NHL, but his veteran presence is a nice addition for the Finns.
News: Ruutu (knee) returned to the lineup on Wednesday night against the Ducks.
Analysis: It appears safe to get Ruutu back into the active lineup in daily leagues which reward PIM.
News: Ruutu (knee) was unable to play on Monday against Phoenix.
Analysis: Ruutu skated on Monday for the first time in 10 days, but remains doubtful for Wednesday's game at Anaheim.
News: Ruutu (upper body) missed another game on Saturday.
Analysis: Ruutu is considered day to day. Keep him reserved in all Fantasy leagues if you have healthier alternatives.
News: Jarkko Ruutu missed Sunday's game against Columbus due to what the team describes as a lower body injury. He suffered the injury in Friday's game with Chicago.
Analysis: Ruutu should be kept reserved in all Fantasy leagues until the severity and exact nature of his injury are determined.
News: Jarkko Ruutu had a goal, assist and a plus-2 rating on Monday against the Kings.
Analysis: Ruutu has scored in consecutive games. Before Saturday's game, Ruutu had not lit the lamp since opening night on Oct. 9 against the Flames.
News: Ruutu was a healthy scratch by the Canucks after staying in Salt Lake City for the closing ceremony Sunday. He had permission to stay for the extra few days, but missed Monday's practice after his flight was delayed.
Analysis:
