The Vancouver Canucks confirmed today’s earlier news about handing James Sheppard a PTO, but there are two other names on the invite list: Tuomo Ruutu and Kevin Carr.
It’s interesting that the Canucks are taking fliers on two players who struggled a bit to live up to first-round hype.
As PHT discussed earlier, Sheppard found it difficult to live up to being the ninth pick of the 2006 NHL Draft. Interestingly enough, Ruutu was also the ninth selection five years earlier in 2001.
Ruutu’s numbers have really dropped in his last few seasons with the New Jersey Devils, managing just an assist in 33 games in 2015-16.
Sheppard may actually have a little more potential to make an impact since he’s still just 28 (Ruutu’s dealt with a lot of wear and tear thanks to his physical style and is 33 years old).
Carr, 26, is a goalie who spent last season in the ECHL and hasn’t played in the NHL so far in his netminding career.