Confirmed with Link: Ruutu to NJ for Loktionov and cond. 3rd in 2017

[HenriquesJawLine]

This dude is relentless on the forecheck and chipped in 2 more assists tonight. He's awakening Zajac's offensive game which has been missing most of the season, couldn't have asked for more from him so far. Hopefully he keeps it going

 

[MichaelJ]

This dude is relentless on the forecheck and chipped in 2 more assists tonight. He's awakening Zajac's offensive game which has been missing most of the season, couldn't have asked for more from him so far. Hopefully he keeps it going

I am LOVING this Ruutu-Zajac-Jagr combo.

 

[DenisSamson3]

I am LOVING this Ruutu-Zajac-Jagr combo.

Yeah they have been playing great! I wonder if Zubrus will score again for the rest of the season. I rarely hear his name anymore.

 

[Benedict Parisechuk]

He fits this system perfectly. Love what I've seen from him. If we make the playoffs then I have a feeling hes going to be VERY helpful. Hes the kind of guy who thrives in a 7 game series.

 

[NJDevs26]

I think a lot of us are going to be eating crow on this one. Some more than others. I liked the deal itself (at least after I found out the 3rd round pick was conditional, three years off) but scoffed at Lou's notion of Ruutu being a scorer. He's proving Lou right though.

 

[SeidoN]

I think a lot of us are going to be eating crow on this one. Some more than others. I liked the deal itself but scoffed at Lou's notion of Ruutu being a scorer. He's proving Lou right though.

yeha now when Lou makes a bizarre move at the deadline we may actually have to stop and consider that he knows what hes doing

 

[Bcap88]

Ruutu is about 12 points away from his carolina total already

 

[R8Devs]

ill eat the crow if he keeps this up

 

[devilsblood]

I think a lot of us are going to be eating crow on this one. Some more than others. I liked the deal itself (at least after I found out the 3rd round pick was conditional, three years off) but scoffed at Lou's notion of Ruutu being a scorer. He's proving Lou right though.

I've already admitted to being way off on this. And it was obvious early that I was wrong, because the guy could actually skate. I certainly don't expect him to average 2 points a game, but the fact that he can still get around the ice quelled my fears that he was an older then his age broken down player.

And playing with Jagr, heck, I could see him challenge his best offensive seasons.

 

[MichaelJ]

It might not be the best top line but fir now it'll do just fine. Big picture I think it'll be a phenomenal 2nd line.

1: Henrique-1C-1RW
2: Ruutu-Zajac-Jagr
3: Clowe-Elias-Boucher
4: Carter-Josefson-Zubrus

C'mon Lou, almost all the groundwork is done. Finish off the top line this offseason and we'll have one of the best and deepest teams in hockey.

 

[MichaelJ]

The deal itself was a steal, trade an extra part and a 3rd draft pick so far into the future we can 't even conceive of who might be available for the missing piece for Zajaz and Jagr.

 

[DenisSamson3]

It might not be the best top line but fir now it'll do just fine. Big picture I think it'll be a phenomenal 2nd line.

1: Henrique-1C-1RW
2: Ruutu-Zajac-Jagr
3: Clowe-Elias-Boucher
4: Carter-Josefson-Zubrus

C'mon Lou, almost all the groundwork is done. Finish off the top line this offseason and we'll have one of the best and deepest teams in hockey.

Hey anything can happen this year you know. Still a chance.

 

[NJDevs26]

The deal itself was a steal, trade an extra part and a 3rd draft pick so far into the future we can 't even conceive of who might be available for the missing piece for Zajaz and Jagr.

Lou might not even be the GM when the bill comes due for that third-rounder (assuming we even have to pay up at all)

 

[AfroThunder396]

He's really helped Zajac's game. It seems like Zajac is best when he has two decoys and doesn't have to be an offensive horse. With Ruutu out there Zajac can focus on his defensive stuff and stay under the radar, which makes him more comfortable and a bigger threat. Zubrus just didn't bring that.

 

[MichaelJ]

Hey anything can happen this year you know. Still a chance.

No argument here. I think the team as is can make some noise in the playoffs and match up agsinst most teams in a 7-game series. I just also think they're now only a couple if moved away from becoming a top contender again as early as next year.

 

[RJK]

looks like we got olympics ruutu and not pre olympics ruutu. i seriously love this guys attitude. all his quotes since coming here have been just a notch below jagrisms imo. can't have enough guys with the right attitude

 

[Rhodes 81]

he's essentially a slightly more offensively competent zubrus, which means he's perfect for that line. dainius has really fallen off a cliff, meanwhile.

 

[Tretyak 20]

1: Henrique-1C-1RW
2: Ruutu-Zajac-Jagr
3: Clowe-Elias-Boucher
4: Carter-Josefson-Zubrus

1: Henrique-Stastny-Michalek
2: Ruutu-Zajac-Jagr
3: Clowe-Elias-Brunner
4: Carter-Josefson-Zubrus

Stastny and Michalek would be my two prime UFA targets, and I don't think Boucher is ready yet. Move Sal and Harrold off the D along with one of Fayne or Zidlicky, and offer Marty no more that $2.5 mil, and I think we've got ourselves a team.

 

[devilsblood]

he's essentially a slightly more offensively competent zubrus, which means he's perfect for that line. dainius has really fallen off a cliff, meanwhile.

He's not nearly as big, and thus does not take up space and work the boards the way Zubrus does. He's more skilled, and seems to do better in the open ice then Zubu's. And Ruutu is also looking for the big hit, which Zub's does not.

My early impression is a smaller, speedier Clowe.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Ruutu has 4 points in 3 games in NJ

Loktionov had 12 in 48 games.

 

[njdevil26]

Yea let's compare a 3 game sample to a 48 game sample.

Before the trade:

Loktionov GP 48, G 4, A 8, P 12, +2
Ruutu GP 57, G 5, A 11, P 16, -19

Let's give the guy another week or two before we decide who won this trade. He looks to be fitting in as of now.

 

[New Jersey Devils]

Completely forgot about this, but wasn't there a bet between a few posters here on how Lokti would score 20-20-40 or something like that?

 

[HenriquesJawLine]

Yea let's compare a 3 game sample to a 48 game sample.

Before the trade:

Loktionov GP 48, G 4, A 8, P 12, +2
Ruutu GP 57, G 5, A 11, P 16, -19

Let's give the guy another week or two before we decide who won this trade. He looks to be fitting in as of now.

The fact we got something of value for Lokti when he was gonna be gone next year makes it a pretty good deal for us. That doesn't mean it's not good for the Canes though, hopefully he does well there and gets a contract

 

[GhostofKenKlee]

I liked that he waived his NTC to come here.

The Devils already won the trade to paraphrase Sam Pollock "the team that gets the best player wins a trade"

He already fits in, he brings a physical element as well as forecheck that was and is needed. Look at what he's done, he creating chances, space and bringing playoff hockey and what Flyers and rivalry games are all about.

If the Devils are going to lack speed, I appreciate the size and grit game as well.

 

[Chessarmy]

He's really helped Zajac's game. It seems like Zajac is best when he has two decoys and doesn't have to be an offensive horse. With Ruutu out there Zajac can focus on his defensive stuff and stay under the radar, which makes him more comfortable and a bigger threat. Zubrus just didn't bring that.

I think the Zubrus/Zajac/Jagr line was working really well for a while, but it eventually fizzled out and the team didn't have a replacement LW within the organization. I wasn't crazy about the Ruutu deal simply because I wasn't sure he was the addition this team needed, clearly I was wrong.