Tue Jun 24 12:31:01 2008

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Hurricanes keep Ruutu with one-year deal

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Raleigh, NC (Sports Network) - The Carolina Hurricanes agreed to terms with forward Tuomo Ruutu on a one-year contract Tuesday.

Ruutu, who was acquired from the Blackhawks in February in exchange for Andrew Ladd, will be paid $2.25 million next season. The 25-year-old Finn notched 10 goals and a career-high 22 assists in 77 games split between Chicago and Carolina last season.

Taken by the Blackhawks with the ninth overall pick in the 2001 draft, Ruutu scored 23 goals in his rookie campaign of 2003-04, but his offensive production has tailed off since then.

"We are happy he'll be back with our team and we hope that he can stay healthy and return to the 20-goal plateau he reached during his rookie season," said 'Canes president and general manager Jim Rutherford.

In 245 NHL games over four seasons, Ruutu has posted 52 goals and 119 points.