Senators Add Ruutu, Re-sign Donovan

The Ottawa Senators added to their forward depth on the second day of free agency by signing unrestricted free agent Jarkko Ruutu.

Ruutu, 32, was signed to a three-year deal worth $3.9 million on Wednesday. In 419 NHL games, he has 36 goals, 47 assists and 716 penalty minutes. He spent the 2007-08 season as a valuable role player in Pittsburgh's run to the Stanley Cup final.

The native of Helsinki, Finland was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in 1998. Since then, he has spent his time with the Canucks and the Penguins. During the NHL lockout, he returned home to play for his former team HIFK Helsinki.

For his entire career, Ruutu has been known as one of the league's super-pests. Even though he doesn't carry the offensive numbers as Sean Avery or Darcy Tucker, this agitator has a 50 percent shootout hit-rate since it was introduced.

"I don't think (Ruutu) scores like a Sean Avery or has quite that offensive ability, but he brings lots to the table," Senators general manager Bryan Murray said OttawaSenators.com. "He's bigger, he’s competitive and he battles. He’s an agitator, there’s no question. He brings a dimension that those types of players do and I think that’s a good thing for a hockey team."

The Sens were also able to keep veteran forward Shean Donovan in the fold by signing him to a two-year, two-way deal. Donovan was reported to receive a couple other offers during free agency, but decided to settle down in a familiar place. He spent four seasons with the OHL's Ottawa 67's, where he posted 97 goals and 196 points in 215 games.

During the course of his career, he has played in San Jose, Colorado, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Calgary, Boston, and Ottawa. His contributions last season in Ottawa were minimal. Donovan's leadership abilities were heavily relied upon late in the season, and, considering the scenario, he handled the pressures well.

This signing does not necessarily mean that Donovan will be suiting up for the Senators in the NHL next season. He has a two-way deal, which leaves the possibility of him to be sent to the AHL's Binghamton Senators without having to clear waivers. He will be competing with many promising prospects at training camp in September.

It appears Bryan Murray has one item remaining on his checklist this off-season. After reeling in a backup goalie and a pesky forward, he will be searching high and low for a puck-moving defenseman to replace the loss of Wade Redden.

The team also has to resign Antoine Vermette and Andrej Meszaros, the two restricted free agents on the roster. The Sens have approximately $15 million of cap space to bring in another three or four players to complete the roster. Let's hope that Murray uses the money wisely.

With all due respect, Ottawa doesn't need a Jeff Finger situation on its hands.