Rutta as a replacement for Karlsson on the power play? I think I’ll dust off a couple of crosses from the blue line if I still have it in me

Jan Rutta is part of a giant three-team trade that sees him move to San Jose, with Sharks star Erik Karlsson leaving for Pittsburgh. And the Czech back could replace the Norris Trophy winner on the power play.

Jan Rutta has six seasons in the NHL under his belt. And he’s been with three teams, and now he’ll be wearing the jersey of a fourth organization. From Chomutov he came to Chicago, from where he moved to Tampa, where he spent very successful seasons crowned with two Stanley Cups.

Last summer, however, the Lighting couldn’t find room under the salary cap for him, so he moved to Pittsburgh. He played 56 games for the Penguins with a 3+6 record.

But after just one year, he’ll be moving again. He’s part of a mega-trade, moving to San Jose, where Erik Karlsson is headed to Pittsburgh.

The question was where Karlsson would head. It was clear that the Norris Trophy winner for the best defenseman last season and owner of 101 points (25+76) would not be staying with a drowning Sharks team.

He eventually found a new home with Crosby, and Rutta is moving back to the sea in San Jose. And he may well take over Karlsson’s role on the power play.

General manager Mike Grier suggested that Rutta could replace Karlsson on the power play, since he came over from the big leagues as an offensive back.

“Yeah, I think I’ll try a couple of shots from the blue line, if I still have it in me, ” Rutta smiled.

Jan Rutta is part of a giant three-team trade that sees him move to San Jose, with Sharks star Erik Karlsson leaving for Pittsburgh. And the Czech back could replace the Norris Trophy winner on the power play.

Jan Rutta has six seasons in the NHL under his belt. And he’s been with three teams, and now he’ll be wearing the jersey of a fourth organization. From Chomutov he came to Chicago, from where he moved to Tampa, where he spent very successful seasons crowned with two Stanley Cups.

Last summer, however, the Lighting couldn’t find room under the salary cap for him, so he moved to Pittsburgh. He played 56 games for the Penguins with a 3+6 record.

But after just one year, he’ll be moving again. He’s part of a mega-trade, moving to San Jose, where Erik Karlsson is headed to Pittsburgh.

The question was where Karlsson would head. It was clear that the Norris Trophy winner for the best defenseman last season and owner of 101 points (25+76) would not be staying with a drowning Sharks team.

He eventually found a new home with Crosby, and Rutta is moving back to the sea in San Jose. And he may well take over Karlsson’s role on the power play.

General manager Mike Grier suggested that Rutta could replace Karlsson on the power play, since he came over from the big leagues as an offensive back.

“Yeah, I think I’ll try a couple of shots from the blue line, if I still have it in me, ” Rutta smiled.

Source: Twitter