February 9, 2011
Ottawa 2, Calgary 5

1st Period:

9:17 Ottawa Senators OTT Chris Kelly 12 (Jarkko Ruutu, Filip Kuba)

CALGARY, CANADA - FEBRUARY 9: Matt Carkner #39, Jarkko Ruutu #73 and teammates of the Ottawa Senators celebrate a goal against the Calgary Flames on February 9, 2011 at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Gerry Thomas/NHLI via Getty Images)

CALGARY, CANADA - FEBRUARY 9: Miikka Kirusoff #34 of the Calgary Flames is run into by Jarkko Ruutu #73 of the Ottawa Senators in first period action at Scotiabank Saddledome February 9, 2011 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Dale MacMillan/Getty Images)

CALGARY, CANADA - FEBRUARY 9: Niklas Hagman #10 of the Calgary Flames skates against Jarkko Ruutu #73 of the Ottawa Senators on February 9, 2011 at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Gerry Thomas/NHLI via Getty Images)

Ruutu takes his future in hockey all in stride
By Gordon McIntyre
The Province.com
February 8, 2011

Soon-to-be free agent is easygoing about his imminent trade because he's still having fun

You can still spot No. 37 jerseys at Rogers Arena and they're not all for Rick Rypien.

But Jarkko Ruutu, wearing an inverted No. 73 for Ottawa now, wasn't in the Senators lineup against the Canucks Monday night, which surely disappointed his still many fans in Vancouver.

"I'm not happy at all," Ruutu said after staying out an extra half-hour to take shots at Ottawa backup goalie Robin Lehner during the morning skate Monday. "I don't make the calls and I guess that's all I should say."

Last night marked his fourth healthy scratch of the season.

After missing three games to injury, Ruutu played last Wednesday against Detroit, then was scratched at Long Island on Saturday.

"It's disappointing, frustrating," he said. "I love Vancouver. Every time I come here, I get chills.

"The time I had here was an unbelievable time. The fans are great, the organization is great.

"You want to play here every time you come into town and play at your best. But I can't control it right now.

"The last time I played here was the Olympics bronze-medal game."

Love him or hate him -the decision often came down to whether he played for the team you were cheering for or not.

Scorned for his lack of skill and sometimes over-the-edge hitting, especially if an opponent wasn't ready for it, Ruutu's ability on shootouts belied hands fans rarely saw during games.

And unlike, say, Matt Cooke, Ruutu would occasionally drop his gloves.

But it's his physical play that earns his living and, with the Senators hopelessly out of the playoffs and Ruutu, who makes $1.3 million this season, set to become an unrestricted free agent, the Helsinki native knows his days in Ottawa are probably numbered.

"I think it's natural when the team's not doing good and your contract is expiring," Ruutu said. "It doesn't mean you're going to get moved, but there's a good chance of it.

"The way I look at things, if I get traded, I get traded . . . the end result isn't up to me."

He left Vancouver after six seasons as a free agent for Pittsburgh in 2006-07, then joined Ottawa in 2008-09.

He set career highs in goals (12) and points (26) last season while racking up 121 penalty minutes and there have been whispers the Canucks might be interested in him as a fourth-line centre.

Don't bet on it.

Known as the Feisty Finn by headline writers in Pittsburgh, Ruuts to teammates and a--hole to opponents, Ruutu was immortalized as a Canuck in a Heavy Eric hockey hymn:

"Ruutu, Ruutu, he rocks 'em like U2, he plays the game hard.

"Ruutu, Ruutu, he knows what to do, he's going to take us far."

Well, he never took anyone far, but he sure has played on teams with some good hockey players - Naslund and Bertuzzi in Vancouver, Crosby and Malkin in Pittsburgh, Spezza and Alfredsson in Ottawa, to name a few.

"That's allowed me to have a role that I can use my strengths and not have to worry about anything else," the 35-year-old said. "It's been a lot of fun -most of the time."

Here's to a move to a playoffbound team, then, three or four more months of fun.

It just won't be in Vancouver.

Why no Ruutu?
By Don Brennan
Toronto Sun
February 7, 2011

Meanwhile, a player the Senators would like to get something for inexplicably sat in the pressbox along with about a dozen scouts from other teams, while Ottawa and Vancouver battled. Unless he has an especially appealing way of eating his popcorn, Jarkko Ruutu did nothing Monday night that would help that process.

Less than three weeks before the trade deadline, coach Cory Clouston has to be playing Ruutu, who is slated to become an unrestricted free agent in July and won’t be re-signed by Ottawa. That he didn’t against the Canucks not only defied logic, but also showcased a problem Clouston has with his players.

The season is over for the Sens, and they stood only a sliver of a chance at upsetting the Canucks. Why not let Ruutu play in this one, in Vancouver, where he toiled for more than five seasons. These things are important to players, and even Senators not going anywhere couldn’t have been impressed.

“I’m not happy at all,” Ruutu said about being a healthy scratch at Rogers Arena. “I don’t make the calls. I guess that’s all I should say.”

But when Vancouver reporters reminded him how popular he was when he wore the Canuck colours - and when it was mentioned that the previously benched Brian Lee played (albeit for an injured Matt Carkner) when the Senators were in his home state of Minnesota - Ruutu had to say more.

“I don’t know,” he shrugged when asked how Clouston couldn’t get him in the lineup against his old team. “He hasn’t been around I guess.

“It’s disappointing, frustrating ... I love this city. Every time I come here I get chills. The time I had here was unbelievable. The fans are great, the organization is great. You want to play here, every time you come in here you play at your best, but sometimes things happen.

“Last time I played here it was the Olympic bronze medal game.”

Ruutu is not a trouble maker. His motto is “work hard and keep your mouth shut.” From that, he believes good things will happen.

He’s also aware of the trade rumours.

“I think that’s pretty natural, when your team is not doing good, the contract is expiring, it’s kind of like one plus one,” said Ruutu, who’s 35. “This happens every year with different teams. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to get moved, but there’s a good chance of it.”

But Ruutu is also part-politician. When asked if he wants to get traded, he replied:

“The way I look at things, if I happen to get traded, I get traded ... The other stuff I can’t control.”

Pretty good at deking that question, wasn’t he?

“I’ve had a good time playing there,” he told the Vancouver scribes of Ottawa. “When you’re winning, you’re on top of the world. It’s good for everyone. But when you’re losing, it feels miserable and it’s not good for anyone ... When you’re losing, things are bad.”

Ruutu has given the Senators everything for three seasons. He should be given a trade to a contending team, if one can be worked out. Either way, he should have been given the chance to play against his old team, especially with the game in Vancouver.

Vancouver Canucks Interested In Ottawa Senators Forward Jarkko Ruutu?
By Kevin W (Canucks Featured Columnist)
Bleacher Report
February 2, 2011

The National Hockey League trade deadline is on February 28 at 12pm PST and according to Sportsnet columnist Mark Spector, "[one] player people inside [the] Canucks [organization] want [general manager Mike] Gillis to land is Jarkko Ruutu."

Ruutu, 35, is in the final year of a three-year contract worth $3.9 million signed with the Ottawa Senators in the 2008 offseason.

With the Senators rebuilding and Ruutu being an impending free agent, it is without a doubt he will be moved.

For the price of nothing higher than a third round pick, Ruutu will be a great addition for the Canucks team, especially during the playoffs.

Ruutu has a league-wide reputation as an agitator and is bound to drive opponents crazy in the playoffs with his antics.

We saw what Dave Bolland did to Daniel Sedin the previous two seasons.

Through 51 games, the Canucks boast the best road power play percentage and have a top-three overall power play percentage. On the penalty kill, the Canucks are top-five in the league.

His agitating tactics will indulge the other team into taking retaliatory penalties, thus giving the deadly Canucks power play more opportunities to work and score.

Ruutu is an experienced penalty killer and it will only help to better the already top-five Canucks penalty kill.

His shootout prowess will help in the remaining regular season games as the Canucks try to win their first President's Trophy in franchise history. The Canucks are a dismal 2-5 in shootouts.

As a member of the 2007-08 Pittsburgh Penguins team that went to the Stanley Cup Finals, Ruutu will bring knowledge, experience, and the desire to win after being so close.

If Ruutu does not take dumb penalties himself and only draws them, he will be a key and valuable member for a Canucks team in their drive to the Stanley Cup Finals.

January 20, 2011
Ottawa 2, Philadelphia 6

2nd Period

Ottawa: 17:56, Milan Michalek 11 (shorthanded) (Jarkko Ruutu)

Ottawa teammate should read Jarkko Ruutu #73, not Matt Carkner #39 in the photo below:

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 20: Milan Michalek #9 of the Ottawa Senators celebrates his second period goal against the Philadelphia Flyers with teammate Matt Carkner #39
on January 20, 2011 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 20: Jarkko Ruutu #73 of the Ottawa Senators shoots the puck past Sean O'Donnell #6 of the Philadelphia Flyers
on January 20, 2011 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

For good measure, take a look at the penalty summary:

Smack down on January 20, 2011.......Go Ruutu!

Sens hurting -- on offence
By Ken Warren
Ottawa Citizen
January 20, 2011

Shootout Fallout:

The Senators are now 0-3 in shootouts, leading to another issue that Clouston and left-winger Jarkko Ruutu don't see eye-to-eye on. This time, it's about the value of practising the penalty shot competition to end games. Clouston doesn't buy into the practice-makes-perfect philosophy.

"To me, practising is only a small, small part of it," said Clouston, who used to chart practice success and found it didn't translate into real-game success. "It's like golf. A guy can sink a five-foot (putt), but in front of cameras and in front of 15,000 people, he might make that one out 10 times. Just because you can score in practice, it's a different thing with 20,000 people watching and the game on the line. To me, it's a lot about pressure and poise and confidence."

Ruutu, however, says, "You have to practice it, like anything else."

The Senators' agitator says shootout success is "underrated" and often makes a huge difference in the standings.

While Ruutu has not been used in the shootout this season and only once last year, his career success rate of 44.4 per cent (8-for-18) is better than all other Senators, including Kovalev (38.4 per cent), Spezza (34.4 per cent), Mike Fisher (31.6 per cent) and Alfredsson (30.56 per cent).

Sens NHL's worst shootout team
By Bruce Garrioch, QMI Agency
Toronto Sun
January 19, 2011

It’s surprising Clouston didn’t turn to winger Jarkko Ruutu, who’s been the doghouse most of the season, but is 5-for-11 in shootout attempts.

“I enjoy the situation. You’re going in, you have one chance to score and if you’re confident you can score,” said Ruutu. “If you’re a little hesitant, it usually goes the other way. Some goalies are better than others. It’s something you’ve got to practixe like anything else. It’s valuable points. A lot of teams have made the playoffs the last few years getting the extra points. I think it’s underrated, but it’s important.”

So why hasn’t Ruutu been given the opportunity?

“I don’t pick ’em,” he said.

Pittsburgh had been without a penalty shot goal since Jarkko Ruutu scored against Toronto on Jan. 20, 2007. Conner converted at 11:29 of the first, making it 2-0. Staal scored 3:02 into the game.

Pittsburgh had been 0 for 12 on penalty shots since Jarkko Ruutu scored against Toronto on Jan. 20, 2007, coincidentally with the same move that Conner used.

"No one brought that to my attention," Conner said of the lengthy streak. "I'm glad they didn't tell me before that."

Players don't blame Clouston
Bruce Garrioch - Ottawa Sun
January 17, 2011

GETTING READY

W Jarrko Ruutu has no illusions. He knows his days are possibly numbered.

There haven’t been any contract discussions between Murray and Ruutu’s agent, Don Baizley. There likely won’t be before the Senators find him a new home before the Feb. 28 trade deadline.

The 35-year-old pest - one of the NHL’s most-hated players - will be dispatched elsewhere before the deadline in exchange for a draft pick to get his $1.3 million US off the books.

“I’m an Ottawa Senator. I want to be an Ottawa Senator, but there’s things that I can’t control,” said Ruutu, signed as a UFA in 2008. “If trades happen, it’s out of my control and I’m going to have to live with it.

“I don’t think anything else. I play hard. I understand they can trade anybody if you look at the big picture. It’s not that it bothers me or I think of it, but it’s realistic.

“Anybody can see when guys aren’t playing well enough or to their capabilities, there will be changes. Bryan came out and said that.”

The Kings and Sharks, both struggling, are looking to bulk up to try to get into the playoffs. The Penguins would certainly look at the possibility of bringing Ruutu back as well. He was a contributor for them.

UNIONDALE, NY - JANUARY 13: Jarkko Ruutu #73 of the Ottawa Senators bounces the puck off his stick during warmups before an NHL hockey game
against the New York Islanders at the Nassau Coliseum on January 13, 2011 in Uniondale, New York.
Photo: Paul Bereswill/Getty Images

UNIONDALE, NY - JANUARY 13: Jarkko Ruutu #73 of the Ottawa Senators skates during an NHL hockey game
against the New York Islanders at the Nassau Coliseum on January 13, 2011 in Uniondale, New York.
Photo: Paul Bereswill/Getty Images

UNIONDALE, NY - JANUARY 13: Jarkko Ruutu #73 of the Ottawa Senators throws a check during an NHL hockey game
against the New York Islanders at the Nassau Coliseum on January 13, 2011 in Uniondale, New York.
Photo: Paul Bereswill/Getty Images

Ottawa Senators' Jarkko Ruutu (73) drops the game puck into goalie Robin Lehner's glove after the Senators beat the New York Islanders 6-4 in an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 13, 2011, in Uniondale, N.Y. Lehner debuted in goal for his first win in first NHL game. - AP

The Fourth Period: Ottawa Senators: Phillips an attractive option
January 11, 2011

LMR comment: A portion of this article caught my attention. I would like to see Jarkko come back to Pittsburgh. We need his feisty attitude and playing. I hope he doesn't go to Detroit or Philadelphia.

Meanwhile, the Senators are also receiving interest in gritty forward Jarkko Ruutu, who is also in the last year of his contract.

The Detroit Red Wings, Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins are among the teams believed to be interested in Ruutu.

Ruutu stickhandles around coach question
By Ken Warren
Ottawa Citizen
January 5, 2011

With so many currently speculating about what might happen within the Ottawa Senators organization in the coming days, Jarkko Ruutu raised eyebrows on Tuesday with what he didn't say.

Asked if Ottawa Senators players still believe in coach Cory Clouston and his system, Ruutu failed to deliver a direct answer. "I don't really know how to answer that question," he said. "I only worry about myself and how I prepare for games and practices, and everyone else does the same things."

Pressed to clarify his stance, Ruutu said: "The coach is leading the team. He sets the system and you follow it. It's as simple as that."

Ruutu's comments -- or lack thereof -- have given life to speculation that Clouston is losing his grip on the dressing room as the losses pile up.

Then again, while the Senators' terrible first half and current three-game losing streak is wearing on everyone around the organization, Ruutu has a particular reason to be more upset than most players.

The agitator has spent the past two games as a healthy scratch -- for the first time since signing as a free agent with the Senators in 2008 -- and was replaced in the lineup by minor league call-up Jim O'Brien. Ruutu said he didn't know exactly why he had been taken out of the lineup, but last Friday Clouston said that both Ruutu and defenceman Filip Kuba had been "struggling" before he took them out against Columbus.

Kuba returned in Saturday's 5-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, but Ruutu remained out.

O'Brien has since been sent back to Binghamton, but could be recalled again before Friday.

"I'm not happy about it," Ruutu said. "I don't make the decisions and we haven't been winning, so something has to be done."

Ruutu is not close to being content with his offensive output of two goals and six assists, but his main role is not to score. His forte is being an agitator, keeping opponents looking over their shoulder in order to stifle their offence and change momentum. With a plus/minus rating of plus-2, he's the only Senators player in positive figures.

All of the above has given rise to trade speculation involving Ruutu. He insists he isn't paying attention to the possibility he could be moved before the Feb. 28 trade deadline, but understands why his name is making the rounds.

"It's part of the job and it's pretty natural if you're in the last year of your contract," he said.

With all the negatives swirling and an unusually long gap until the Senators next play on Friday in Chicago, Clouston attempted to break the monotony by opting for an off-ice workout Tuesday rather than another practice.

"We just gave them a little bit different focus and (to-day's) practice will be intense, and we'll be working on a couple of specific areas and the same with the following day," he said.

The coach figured that, with such a long layoff between games, another practice could be detrimental.

"The guys were positive today during the off-ice," Clouston said. "They were happy they weren't going to have four practices (this week), but they still wanted to work hard. Sometimes at this time of year, when you put four practices together, it's hard to stay focused. We wanted to make sure that when we do have them on the ice, we have their attention. They're still upbeat, positive and saying the right things."

Clouston, criticized for being too systematic and rigid, insists the players have a voice.

"You try to meet with certain individuals and let them know what they need to be doing and you pick their brains," he said. "Obviously, there are some veterans in that room who have some ideas and thoughts, and it's basically a collective procedure."

Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson insists the players haven't given up on the season and he has been encouraged by what he has heard from fans.

"People are extremely supportive," he said Tuesday, claiming people were offering him positive messages for a better second half to the NHL season. "They're definitely encouraging and hoping for us to get going again in the right direction. It's more encouraging and pats on the back."

Mike Fisher, who is also starting to hear his name in trade rumours, says success won't come without a determination to win ugly, if necessary.

"Our identity has to be outworking teams consistently and being smart," he said. "We're not a run-and-gun team. We have to be patient and good defensively, good in the neutral zone, and maybe win a 2-1 game."

Trying to win 2-1 hardly serves as a glitzy advertising campaign to sell tickets, but with such limited offensive potential, it might the only way the Senators have a chance.

A hard decision, a smart decision
Dave Molinari, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
January 9, 2011

A portion of the article that caught my attention...

A significant portion of the fan base was unhappy with general manager Ray Shero in the summer of 2008, when he declined to offer Jarkko Ruutu the third year on a contract that it would have taken to keep him here.

Ruutu, at the time, had become quite popular, mostly because of the nasty edge with which he plays but also because he showed an unexpected knack for scoring in shootouts.

Nonetheless, Shero wouldn't give him more than two years, and Ruutu signed with Ottawa when the Senators were willing to give him three.

It looks as if Shero -- who rarely gives any role player more than two years on a contract -- made a pretty shrewd call.

Ruutu has a salary-cap hit of $1.3 million this season, but entered the weekend with just two goals and six assists in 38 games. He is averaging less than 13 minutes of ice time and was a healthy scratch for two games last weekend.

LMR note: Come back to Pittsburgh Jarkko!

Senators, fans refuse to accept defeatist attitude
Ottawa Citizen
January 4, 2011

Jarkko Ruutu, scratched from the lineup in favour of minor league call-up Jim O’Brien for the past two games, was non-committal when asked if the players are still listening to Clouston’s message.

“I don’t really know how to answer that question,” he said. “I only worry about myself and how I prepare for games and practices and everyone else does the same thing. The coach is leading the team. He sets the system and you follow it. It’s as simple as that.”

Ruutu also says he’s not surprised to hear his name mentioned in trade talk. “I haven’t really paid any attention to it, but it’s part of the job,” he said. “It’s pretty natural if you’re in the last year of your contract.”

Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby celebrates his third-period goal against the Ottawa Senators during an NHL hockey game Sunday, Dec. 26, 2010, in Ottawa. Ottawa won 3-1.
(AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Pawel Dwulit)

Sid the Kid arrives in town on fire
Hockey: Sports: Toronto Sun
December 25, 2010

Jarkko Ruutu Quote:

“He’s having a good year and I really just think he’s hitting the prime of his career,” said Senators winger Jarkko Ruutu, a former Pittsburgh teammate of Crosby. “When you see this guy, he works hard every practice and every game. He goes all out. He wants to be better in every situation.

“He just puts so much work into it preparing for the game, it’s no surprise he’s having success. The way he handles himself day-in and day-out is what makes the difference. Not only is he the best player in the game, he’s also the hardest worker. That sets the bar for the other guys when they see that from him.”

NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 23: Jarkko Ruutu #73 of the Ottawa Senators battles along the boards against Shea Weber #6 of the Nashville Predators during an NHL game on December 23, 2010 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.(Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)

LMR comment: The December 19th game was painful to watch.

OTTAWA, ON - DECEMBER 19: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals breaks through a check by Jarkko Ruutu #73 of the Ottawa Senators while carrying the puck up ice in a game at Scotiabank Place on December 19, 2010 in Ottawa, Canada. (Photo by Phillip MacCallum/Getty Images)

OTTAWA, ON - DECEMBER 19: Jarkko Ruutu #73 of the Ottawa Senators picks up a loose puck while teammate Chris Kelly #22 battles with Scott Hannan(notes) #23 of the Washington Capitals in a game at Scotiabank Place on December 19, 2010 in Ottawa, Canada. (Photo by Phillip MacCallum/Getty Images)

Matt Carkner (L) and Jarkko Ruutu of the Ottawa Senators react after another goal by the Washington Capitals during second period NHL action held at Scotiabank Place in Ottawa, December 19, 2010. - Photograph by: Jean Levac, Ottawa Citizen

December 17, 2010

Ottawa 5, Colorado 6

1st Period

Ottawa 2:14, Erik Karlsson 6 (Chris Kelly, Jarkko Ruutu)

LW Jarkko Ruutu has heated up after ending a 27-game goal-less slump Dec. 10. His assist on Chris Neil’s goal gives him points in back-to-back games. During his slump, he had only three assists. - December 14, 2010 - Senator's Team Report - Yahoo Sports

December 13, 2010

Ottawa 3, Atlanta 4

3rd Period:

Ottawa 5:48, Chris Neil 2 (Jarkko Ruutu, Chris Kelly)

Keep them coming Jarkko!

December 10, 2010

Ottawa 3, New Jersey 2

2nd Period:

11:55, Jarkko Ruutu 2 (Chris Neil, Chris Kelly)

New Jersey Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur (30) looks on as Ottawa Senators' Jarrko Ruutu (73) celebrates his goal with teammate Chris Kelly (22) during second period NHL hockey action in Ottawa on Friday, Dec. 10, 2010. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press - Fred Chartrand)

LMR note: During the December 5th game against the Rangers - I believe the 3rd period - Jarkko had me laughing when he made a "distinct kicking motion" when he snuck the puck into the Ranger's net with his skate. He kept inching it in until it went over the line. He's a jokster that's for sure. Also, when he took a so-called dive, the announcers said something about how Jarkko was in the diving competition at the Olympics. Jarkko had the last laugh. He had an assist - a great one at that - on Kelly's goal in the 3rd period. Way to go Jarkko! Get your hockey mojo working!

"I didn't even know it went in," said Kelly. "I saw Ruuts celebrating, that's how I knew it was in."

December 5, 2010:

Ottawa 3, New York 1

3rd Period:

Ottawa 17:36, Chris Kelly 5 (Jarkko Ruutu, Filip Kuba)

November 26, 2010:

Pittsburgh 2, Ottawa 1

1st Period:

Ottawa 12:11, Jesse Winchester 3 (Jarkko Ruutu, Erik Karlsson)

Ottawa Senators' Jesse Winchester, second from right, celebrates his goal with teammates Jarrko Ruutu (73) of Finland, and Erik Karlsson (65) of Sweden, during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh, Friday, Nov. 26, 2010. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

November 19, 2010:

Reuters Pictures: Ottawa Senators' Jarkko Ruutu (L) and Matt Carkner (R) celebrate Jesse Winchester's goal during the third period
of their NHL hockey game against the St. Louis Blues in St. Louis, Missouri, November 19, 2010.

November 15, 2010 - Jarkko Ruutu Quotes - Ottawa 1, Philadelphia 5

Quote variations on the web:

“We were playing from behind the whole game so that changed the outlook,” said Ruutu. “I don’t believe we were that poor. When you fall behind, it’s tough because you have to change your game to come back.”

“We were playing from behind the whole game, so that changed the outlook,” said LW Jarkko Ruutu. “I don’t believe we were that poor.”

"We were playing from behind pretty much the whole game, so it changed the outlook," Senators left wing Jarkko Ruutu said. "I don't think that we were that poor. It wasn't our best."

PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 15: Jarkko Ruutu #73 of the Ottawa Senators skates against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center on November 15, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 15: Jarkko Ruutu #73 of the Ottawa Senators skates against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center on November 15, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 15: Jarkko Ruutu #73 of the Ottawa Senators receives a punch from Scott Hartnell #19 of the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center on November 15, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

November 13, 2010:

BOSTON - NOVEMBER 13: Patrice Bergeron #37 of the Boston Bruins loses the puck to Jarkko Ruutu #73 of the Ottawa Senators on November 13, 2010 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Ottawa Senators defeated the Boston Bruins 2-0. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

TORONTO - NOVEMBER 2: Jarkko Ruutu #73 of the Ottawa Senators shoots during warm-ups before NHL action against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre November 2, 2010 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Abelimages/Getty Images)

Ruutu: Pest with a passion for hockey
He's been a major annoyance to foes all through his career
By Wayne Scanlan, The Ottawa Citizen
October 30, 2010

Jarkko Ruutu figured out early on he was no threat to Wayne Gretzky's records.

"As soon as I realized -- which was about three games into the NHL -- I wasn't going to reach the 1,000 points mark, it left only one choice."

One thousand minutes in penalties.

The veteran Senators winger is kidding, of course. He was racking up PIM long before he reached the NHL with the Vancouver Canucks in 1999. In fact, his highest single-season penalty total came with HIFK in Finland, 166 minutes in 1997-98, an impressive total for a guy not given to dropping the gloves.

Ruutu is a pest, not a pugilist. A graduate of the Esa Tikkanen School of Annoyance.

Goad, infuriate, chirp, mock, create more steam than a Finnish sauna. But fight only if necessary. Hey, it beats working for a living.

Not that Ruutu can't play a bit of hockey, too. At age 34 last season, he reached his career high with 12 goals and 26 points, while playing alongside Chris Kelly and Chris Neil on what has become one of the truly solid third lines in the NHL. Ruutu has three points, one goal and two assists, in 10 games this season.

Any Ottawa fan will tell you this is the club's most consistent trio, night in night out. They have been particularly effective during the home-ice victories this week against Phoenix and Florida, wearing out opponents with their cycle game.

As Ruutu explains, there is an afterglow to this heavy lifting down low. "When they're trapped in there for a minute or 45 seconds, whatever, they just want to get the puck out and change," Ruutu says.

"So they get the puck out, we'll change, and we've got the puck again coming back (as the next line comes on).

"They're expending all their energy defending and they have no chance to play offence."

Considering Neil has more than 1,500 minutes in penalties, it's a wonder the line is together long enough to be effective. One or the other is bound to be in the box at some point.

As a fighter, Neil racks up PIMs exponentially. Ruutu had to grind his way to a grand, with measly minors and occasional misconducts.

They flashed his "achievement," on the scoreboard Thursday, following a second period hooking call, and it had us imagining football saluting a home team lineman for being offside a few hundred times, or a basketball player for travelling violations.

Doesn't translate, right?

But that's hockey. It honours its bad boys.

Year-end team leaders are cited for PTS and PIM.

Ruutu himself is a bit sheepish about spending nearly 17 hours in the sin bin, the place where a hockey player is supposed to "feel shame," as Slapshot's Denis Lemieux put it. Hazard of the trade, in Ruutu's case.

"Obviously you don't want to get penalties, but it happens the way I play," he says. "Sometimes I get them for no reason, but it's part of the game, part of my reputation.

"Sometimes it's a good thing, sometimes it's not working to the team's advantage, you want to be smart and try to avoid the dumb penalties, the penalties that give the other team traction at that (critical) time of the game, but the way I play, I try to play hard, fight for every puck."

Hooks and holds come with that, he says.

Hockey people like to talk about "good" penalties and "bad." Good penalties prevent goals or supposedly provide some sort of psychological advantage. Ruutu likes to either take an opponent into the box with him, send him solo or at least get in his head, get him off his game.

Bad ones are lazy, such as a hook from a tired player out of position. Coaches will tell you bad penalties get scored on during the resulting power play more often than good penalties, though I'm not sure there is data to support their case.

Ruutu has taken his share of good and bad. Penalties that helped and hurt his teams, first the Canucks, then the Pittsburgh Penguins and Senators. He picked up 26 minutes during the Penguins run to the Cup finals in 2008, but also contributed two goals and an assist. The next spring, Ruutu was in Ottawa when the Penguins won it all and the Senators missed the playoffs. Last spring he contributed two goals and an assist (and 34 PIM) in Ottawa's lone playoff series, a six-gamer against Pittsburgh.

He's not one to catalogue his crimes. Asked to name a few of his best penalties, Ruutu says it's like asking Daniel Alfredsson "about his 376th point."

"I can't remember," Ruutu says. "I'm sure there's a couple of good ones. And some others you don't want to have -- but that's the total."

NHL teams traditionally award 1,000-game players with a silver stick. What's fitting for a 1,000 PIM guy?

"Maybe a wood stick?" Ruutu says.

Perfect. Lumber to wield.

"When (a rude gesture) happened in the past, it wasn't reported. Nobody talked about it," ... "Once the media find out about it, it's blown out and you have to deal with it" - Jarkko Ruutu - Varsity - October 25, 2010

BUFFALO - OCTOBER 22: Jarkko Ruutu #73 of the Ottawa Senators battles for a loose puck with Ryan Miller #30 of the Buffalo Sabres
during their NHL game at HSBC Arena October 22, 2010 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)

Added October 20, 2010:

October 18, 2010
Pittsburgh 5, Ottawa 2

3rd Period - Jarkko Ruutu assist

Ottawa 4:19, Chris Campoli 1 (Jason Spezza, Jarkko Ruutu)

Shame on you Jarkko. Is this how you treat a former teammate? Was Jarkko frustrated or being his usual self? Whatever the case, Pittsburgh whooped your butt! LOL

Sidney may get knocked down, but he'll get up again. You're never going to keep him down :)

Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby (87) is defended by Ottawa Senators' Jarkko Ruutu, of Finland
in the second period of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh on Monday, Oct. 18, 2010.

Added October 20, 2010:

Tip-Ins - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
October 19, 2010

Former Penguins agitator Jarkko Ruutu, a winger with Ottawa, is sporting a familiar look -- a black eye and bruised, puffy cheek on the right side of his face. "Every year. Same thing. Nothing changes," Ruutu said with a grin. He took a high stick against Carolina last week.

Added October 20, 2010:

I hate biters! Jarkko Ruutu just looks like a biter. And judging by the video, he doesn’t mind flashing the pearly whites in a fight to prove his point. He almost tore off Buffalo Sabres fighter Andrew Peters thumb off!

Ruutu has a reckless streak as well. He will lead with his elbows, and he actively tries to hurt people by hitting them in the head. He is a truly dirty player and is hated by a great number of players in the NHL.

In almost every game, you can find Ruutu squawking at the opponents and giving cheap shots to their star players. He won’t fight usually, but he talks enough to get everyone else to.

The worst part of Ruutu is his willingness to hurt someone. If players frown upon one thing more than anything else, it’s intent to hurt another player because there is mutual respect through the game. The NHL has cleaned up its image but guys like Jarkko Ruutu still give the league a bad name.

Added October 19, 2010:

Toronto Sun
October 18, 2010

LMR note: Yes, this does make you go hmmmmm...What planet are you on Ruutu? LOL

It MAKES YOU GO HMMM...:

Chris Kelly didn’t change his digits, but somebody in the Senators dressing room had him as No. 66 on the dressing room chalkboard indicating the game’s line combinations. Maybe it was in reference to Kelly’s fancy move inside the Carolina blue line the other night. “I’m playing with Mario (Lemieux),” Jarkko Ruutu said in the morning. Does Kelly really remind you of the former Penguin great? “Yeah,” said Ruutu. “He’s got it all. The vision, the skills, and he’s pretty funny.”

BETWEEN PERIODS

No credit was given to Ruutu for his starring role in Ottawa’s first win of the season. It was Ruutu’s face that got in the way of Jussi Jokinen’s stick late in the third, Ruutu’s spilt blood that convinced the officials to give the Hurricanes a double-minor that helped the Senators get their first power-play marker, also known as Mike Fisher’s game-winner. Because of the way Ruutu plays, throwing the occasional dive into his repertoire, he generally has to be bleeding before a penalty is called with him as the victim. “Guys can do a lot to me and I can’t get away with anything, but that’s the way it is. I’m not complaining,” said Ruutu, who has a gash under his black and swollen right eye. “I have the reputation and I just have to live with it.” Ruutu wasn’t always the pest he was against the Habs Saturday night. “When I was younger, I scored a lot of points,” he said. “I came here (to the NHL) and I had to find a way to stand out from the masses, to get noticed and get a job. Now I try to play hard, agitate guys, get them off their game.” And rile up the opposing fans. In Montreal, the crowd doesn’t chant “Ruuuuutu” when he skates to the penalty box. The folks are booing.

Added October 13, 2010

Game: October 11, 2010
Ottawa 2, Capitals 3

2nd Period:

Ottawa 9:57, Jarkko Ruutu 1 (Matt Carkner, Chris Neil)

Player Notes:

LW Jarkko Ruutu’s first goal of the season was only part of another strong game from the 35-year-old veteran. Ruutu, who is in the last season of his contract, also blocked two shots and registered a pair of hits.

WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 11: Jarkko Ruutu #73 of the Ottawa Senators celebrates with teammates after scoring in the second period against the Washington Capitals at the Verizon Center on October 11, 2010 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Added October 8, 2010:

Game: October 1, 2010
Ottawa 8, NY Rangers 5

Goal: 19:30, Jarkko Ruutu 1 (Sergei Gonchar, Ryan Shannon)

NEW YORK - OCTOBER 01: Derek Boogaard #57 of the New York Rangers keeps the puck away from Jarkko Ruutu #73 of the Ottawa Senators during their preseason game on October 1, 2010 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

NEW YORK - OCTOBER 01: Jarkko Ruutu #73 of the Ottawa Senators controls the puck against the New York Rangers during their preseason game on October 1, 2010 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Added October 8, 2010:

Ruutu would love to stay with the Sens | Hockey | Sports | Toronto Sun October 3, 2010

Jarkko Ruutu isn't worried about his future. But he hopes it includes an extended stay in Ottawa.

As the 34-year-old prepares to play the final year of the contract he signed with the Senators in July 2008, he isn't the least bit concerned about his future with the club.

Making $1.3 million, he'd love to sign an extension with the club, but understands if the Senators want to wait.

Meanwhile, he'll let his pesky play do the talking.

"I look at it like any other year," said Ruutu. "What happens next summer, happens next summer. The only thing you can control is the next game and I approach every game the same way. It doesn't matter if it's your contract year or not."

Ruutu, who has played a strong role with linemates Chris Kelly and Chris Neil, won't be instructing agent Don Baizley to open talks with the Senators anytime soon.

"I haven't thought about it at all," said Ruutu. "It doesn't really matter ... I want to stay here. I like playing for this team and I think we have a good team. I have no desire to change or go anywhere else."

September 28, 2010:

Ruutu established career highs with 12 goals and 14 assists, joined Kelly on an effective penalty-killing unit and was again the thinking man's pest, always striving to get under an opponent's skin. Kelly scored 15 goals, tying a career-high, while rarely putting himself or teammates out of position.

"We think the game the same way," said Ruutu, who is entering the final year of his contract.

"We try to go to the net. We don't try to be too fancy. When you come and work every night, most of the nights are going to be good. Every now and again, you get rewarded offensively, too."

Ruutu will continue to push the limits of being an agitator, but says "at times, I know it's a huge game and I want to take a step back, stay in line and not go over the edge."

September 8, 2010:

The web sites below are in Finnish. I use a Google tool that automatically translates the sites into English. It's not perfect, but it's better than nothing for those who do not speak Finnish. Guess who? :)

This site has a few photos:

Ottawa Senators forward Jarkko Ruutu on Saturday, was involved in a street ice hockey tour in the context of the SM-Star Game played in the center of Helsinki Kamppi Narinkkatori.