Dr.Sens(e)
Registered User
I never saw one publication claim Ruutu as a potential 100 point scorer. In fact, even the articles hyping him mentioned he may average a point a game at best. The fact he was voted the best prospect not in the NHL doesn't mean he was supposed to be a future Art Ross winner.
Physical players always take a few years to adapt to the NHL. Look no further than his country-mate Jokinen. It took Olli several years to get comfortable, and he scored 36 goals last year on a bad team. Much to the chagrin of teams who gave up on him.
I wouldn't be surprised to see it take two full years before Ruutu get's comfortable, especially coming off that kind of knee injury which always takes 18 months before you get your true stride back.
He was never going to be a 100 point scorer, but I still think his ceiling is higher than 50 points with the right linemates.
Physical players always take a few years to adapt to the NHL. Look no further than his country-mate Jokinen. It took Olli several years to get comfortable, and he scored 36 goals last year on a bad team. Much to the chagrin of teams who gave up on him.
I wouldn't be surprised to see it take two full years before Ruutu get's comfortable, especially coming off that kind of knee injury which always takes 18 months before you get your true stride back.
He was never going to be a 100 point scorer, but I still think his ceiling is higher than 50 points with the right linemates.