Breaking News: Tuomo Ruutu Done For Season

As of today Tuomo Ruutu's season has officially ended.

With the Hurricanes' playoff hopes all but gone, Paul Maurice has shut down Tuomo Ruutu for the season.

"Give him all the credit because he’s played in some pain and played his game in some pain," said Maurice. "He was very, very physical for as long as he could be, but he just can’t do it anymore.”

Ironically he left the Jan. 8 contest against the Colorado Avalanche after a fight against Darcy Tucker.

The fight between Tucker and Ruutu was a revenge fight after Ruutu boarded Tucker during an Oct. 23 contest, which resulted in Tucker being injured with a concussion and Ruutu being suspended for three games.

Since that Jan. 8 game, Ruutu has missed a month of the season with a shoulder injury and his scoring touch has been in a funk since his return—with only three goals and seven assists in 15 games, but only one of those goals in the last eleven games.

Tuomo's point production per game was well above his average until his last four games—where it dropped off.

Over the last two seasons, Ruutu has shown he is a streaky two-way player with an offensive touch, but the injury bug has bitten him hard this season.

Ruutu's contract is increased to $4 million next season, and the 27 year old winger may very well be ready to show his true offensive abilities, but I guess we will have to wait until the 2010-11 season to see for ourselves.