Ulfie ends careers.
When Ray Shero came to town a few years back, he instantly realized that the Pens were an easy team to play against due to a lack of gritty guys like Ulf. One of his first orders of business was to go out and pick up a guy who would agitate the hell out of anyone. Enter Jarkko Ruutu.
The donut is scared.
The donut is scared.Ruutu became an instant fan favorite in Pittsburgh with his cheap shots and easy-to-chant name (that's a big thing in the 'Burgh, just ask HEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAATH Miller.) He's one of those players you absolutely loathe unless he's on your team. After two years Jarkko was due to become a UFA again, and he was looking to get paid. Shero, understanding the economy of today's game, was unwilling to give a 33-year-old player who's game is based on grit and hitting a three-year guaranteed contract. Ruutu wanted the third year (and who can blame him?) and bolted for Ottawa. Enter Matt Cooke.
Matt Cooke hits everything hard.
People around Pittsburgh weren't sure what to think. In his two short years Ruutu was a cult hero around these parts, and any time a guy like that moves on, it's gonna be hard on his replacement to live up to those expectations. In my opinion, Cooke has met and exceeded what Ruutu was able to do in his short time here. He hits, and he hits, and he hits. He has put up impressive offensive numbers for a guy who isn't expected to produce in that manner (missed empty net attempts aside.) He gets under the skin of opposing players (ask Gary Roberts) without resorting to turning them into a snack.
A side-by-side comparison of Cooke and Ruutu's stats this season (through 81 games):
Cooke: 13 G, 18 A, 31 PTS. -1, 101 PIM, 14:12 min/game.
Ruutu: 7 G, 14 A, 21 PTS. -1, 144 PIM, 11:42 min/game.
In addition, Cooke is 6th in the league with 258 hits, compared to Ruutu's pedestrian 146. What's also amazing is that Cooke's 31 points this season is only ONE LESS than what Ruutu tallied in his TWO YEARS in Pittsburgh. So it's safe to say that Matt Cooke has been a significant upgrade over Jarkko Ruutu. He's scored, he's hit, he's fought, he's agitated and he's three years younger. Don't get me wrong, I love me some Jarkko Ruutu, but once again Ray Shero proves to Pens fans that their team is in good hands.
Matt Cooke hits everything hard.People around Pittsburgh weren't sure what to think. In his two short years Ruutu was a cult hero around these parts, and any time a guy like that moves on, it's gonna be hard on his replacement to live up to those expectations. In my opinion, Cooke has met and exceeded what Ruutu was able to do in his short time here. He hits, and he hits, and he hits. He has put up impressive offensive numbers for a guy who isn't expected to produce in that manner (missed empty net attempts aside.) He gets under the skin of opposing players (ask Gary Roberts) without resorting to turning them into a snack.
A side-by-side comparison of Cooke and Ruutu's stats this season (through 81 games):
Cooke: 13 G, 18 A, 31 PTS. -1, 101 PIM, 14:12 min/game.
Ruutu: 7 G, 14 A, 21 PTS. -1, 144 PIM, 11:42 min/game.
In addition, Cooke is 6th in the league with 258 hits, compared to Ruutu's pedestrian 146. What's also amazing is that Cooke's 31 points this season is only ONE LESS than what Ruutu tallied in his TWO YEARS in Pittsburgh. So it's safe to say that Matt Cooke has been a significant upgrade over Jarkko Ruutu. He's scored, he's hit, he's fought, he's agitated and he's three years younger. Don't get me wrong, I love me some Jarkko Ruutu, but once again Ray Shero proves to Pens fans that their team is in good hands.
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