Carolina Hurricanes' Tuomo Ruutu (15) collides with Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Mike Smith (41) as Hurricanes Jussi Jokinen (36) looks...

The Carolina Hurricanes, foreground, celebrate a goal by teammate Tuomo Ruutu (obscured) as Tampa Bay Lightning's Mike Smith (41) and David Hale (21) look on during...

May 6, 2009; Raleigh, NC, USA; Carolina Hurricanes center (15) Tuomo Ruutu carries the puck against the Boston Bruins during game three of the eastern conference semifinals of...

BOSTON - MAY 14: Mark Stuart #45 of the Boston Bruins checks Tuomo Ruutu #15 of the Carolina Hurricanes during Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Semifinal round of the...

Carolina Hurricanes' Tuomo Ruutu (15), of Finland, and New Jersey Devils' Travis Zajac (19) vie for the puck during the...

...Maple Leafs goaltender Vesa Toskala, left, hangs his head as Carolina Hurricanes center Chad LaRose (59), Tuomo Ruutu (15) and Joseph Melichar celebrate LaRose's goal during first period NHL hockey action in Toronto...

Chicago Blackhawks player Tuomo Ruutu is seen in Chicago in this Nov. 13, 2007 file photo. Carolina has acquired forward Tuomo...

Big things are expected from Tuomo Ruutu in his second year

Tuomo Ruutu of the Chicago Blackhawks and Trent Hunter of the New York Islanders battle for the puck...

Tuomo Ruutu has earned early accolades for his physical play