TSN’s Darren Dreger is reporting that the Carolina Hurricanes are awaiting an answer from pending unrestricted free agent forward Tuomo Ruutu on their latest contract offer.
And they have set Wednesday as a deadline.
Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford told Chip Alexander of the Charlotte Observer February 16 that the parameters for a contract extension were know to both sides at that time.
Both sides have a full understanding of the parameters and now we have to see where it goes. This is not something that has to drag on. We’ve gone through how it would work, for both sides — the upsides, the downsides. By the first of next week we should have a better understanding of where the situation stands.
On a recent segment of SportsNet’s Sources Say, the panel reported that Ruutu wants a six-year deal — the priority for Ruutu is term — at a little less than $27.0 million in total. The Hurricanes are said to be offering no more than four years, due to their concerns that since the 29-year-old plays a hard-hitting, tough, gritty game, he may break down part way through his multi-year deal.
Should Ruutu turn down the Hurricanes’ offer, it’s believed he will be dealt prior to the February 27 trade deadline.
However, that is not a priority for the Hurricanes. Rutherford added back on the 16th that he was focused on getting Ruutu signed and has not shopped him.
I haven’t even looked at that. For seven to 10 days now we’ve been moving forward on trying to get the contract extension done.
Rutherford would not have to look hard to find suitors for his player, if he were to changes his mind.
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reports that the Ottawa Senators, along with the Boston Bruins, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, Chicago Blackhawks and Nashville Predators are interested in acquiring Ruutu’s services.
The Hurricanes want a top prospect (like Mark Stone or Stefan Noesen from the Senators, which they would balk at) along with a first-round draft pick return, according to Garrioch.
Still, some suggest that because Ruutu is currently injured, and out of action for two to three more weeks, teams may back off or accept the fact that he won’t play for them for some time.
