Hurricanes Sign Tuomo Ruutu to Four-Year Extension

The Carolina Hurricanes announced on Wednesday that they have signed center Tuomo Ruutu to a four-year contract extension worth $19 million. The deal will average out to $4.75 million per season. He would have been an unrestricted free agent this summer and had been the subject of trade rumors leading up to the February 27 Trade Deadline. In 57 games so far this season, he has 17 goals and 13 assists for 30 points. A wise decision by the Hurricanes to retain Ruutu, as he brings some offensive depth and grit to the forward lines. However, his salary is a bit much for a player of his caliber and injury history, so the team overpaid a bit to retain his services.