With Ruutu off market, look for Edmonton's Hemsky to be pursued

One intriguing player on the trade market just came off the board.
Reports indicate Carolina’s Tuomo Ruutu has agreed to stay with the Hurricanes, a 4-year deal worth over $16 million.
For that money, expectations will rise for Ruutu who has teased with his ability (likes to hit, can agitate opponents, has ability to score goals) but hasn’t totally put everything together.
You always expect a little more and ultimately get disappointed. Ruutu has only scored more than 20 goals twice in an eight-year career.
But in the present, despite getting hurt last week, Ruutu was a player the Wings and many other playoff contenders were intrigued about. The price was going to be high but some team was bound to pay it by Monday’s 3 p.m. trade deadline.
If you’re the Hurricanes, though, with a team looking to develop a core, Ruutu’s a guy you don’t want to see leave Raleigh.
With Ruutu gone, there aren’t many desirable forwards readily available.
One player who might begin to look better in some teams’ eyes is Edmonton’s Ales Hemsky.
Understand, Hemsky’s been awful this season. He has a head-scratching five goals in 46 games. But he could be revitalized knowing he’s an unrestricted free agent this summer and a good playoff could help his financial picture.
There have been reports the Oilers haven’t been getting many nibbles for Hemsky. But with Ruutu off the market, Hemsky might be looking better to some teams.