Ruutu Back On The Ice

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

Link for Full Article: http://hurricanes.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=660188&navid=DL|CAR|home

For the first time this season, Tuomo Ruutu joined the Carolina Hurricanes on the ice on Thursday.

The 30-year-old forward had been skating alone for the past few days, and though morning skates are typically light on physicality, returning to practice is an important step in Ruutu’s rehab process.

“It’s still early. I’ve just got to get some practice and see how I feel,” he said. “I go day-by-day, week-by-week and see where I’m at. Everything’s has gone pretty well so far, so hopefully it keeps going that way.”

[iamcline]

Where would we put him? Third line? Or fourth to start?

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

Third line with Jussi Jokinen and bump Dwyer back up to the second.

[KillerKat]

Hopefully something like this eventually:

Jiri Tlusty - Eric Staal - Alexander Semin

Jeff Skinner - Jordan Staal - Tuomo Ruutu

Jussi Jokinen - Riley Nash - Chad LaRose

Drayson Bowman - Tim Brent - Patrick Dwyer

But probably flip LaRose and Ruutu to start.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

Both Ruutu and Pitkanen flew with the team to Tampa today and could see ice time.

[iamcline]

With Terry going back to Charlotte, perhaps that opens a spot for Ruutu?