NHL Trade Rumors: Hurricanes' Best Option Is to Deal Tuomo Ruutu

The Carolina Hurricanes have a couple of options, but the best one is to trade Tuomo Ruutu while they still can. 

Going through a rebuilding process can be an awful and messy business. Luckily, there are those players that make it a tad easier in the long run. Tuomo Ruutu is one of those people. 

Chip Alexander of NewsObserver reports Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford is set to have a sit-down with Ruutu, and the subject of his future with the club will be the reason.

Rutherford states, per the report: 

"

I want to talk to him about where he's at, this season and in the future. We'll talk about that and see where it goes. We're closing in on the (NHL) trade deadline, so we need to make a decision.

I've had casual conversations with his agent the past month or so. The next step is to meet with (Ruutu) and make a decision on what direction would be the best for everyone. 

"

The Hurricanes sit at the bottom of the southeast division with 49 points, ten off the pace-leading Florida Panthers. 

and Toronto Maple Leafs all want in. 

Ruutu leads the Hurricanes in goals (16) and is fourth in points (27). That kind of production is going to waste in Carolina and can be better served getting some youth back in the club. 

ESPN's Craig Custance believes holding onto Ruutu is counterproductive when you consider that he may be walking away from the club anyway in just a few short months. 

This discussion may show that Ruutu is committed to the team, but he could easily walk to a long-term deal for more money in the offseason. Promises of loyalty mean nothing at this stage, and that works both ways. 

The best move is to get a flood of young talent coming the other way. That is how Ruutu is most valuable at the moment. 

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