Sleeper Watch

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How did Jarkko Ruutu’s December 28 debut on Vancouver’s top line go? Not so well, if you’re a fantasy owner hoping to cash in on coach Marc Crawford’s line juggling. Ruutu finished the game without a point (or even a shot on goal), although he did earn a rating of +1. You won’t hear Crawford or Canucks fans complaining, though. Vancouver won for the first time in six games, topping the Nashville Predators by a score of 4-3.

One game does not a line change make, however, and Ruutu might still be worth a flyer if you have a roster spot to spare, particularly in deeper leagues. After all, if you’re playing alongside Markus Naslund, the league’s 12th-leading scorer, and Todd Bertuzzi (31st), you practically have to go out of your way to avoid adding points to your stat line.

Before the shakeup, Brendan Morrison skated on a line with Naslund and Bertuzzi, and picked up 30 points (7 goals, 23 assists) in 36 games. Whether Ruutu can approach that pace remains to be seen, but he should certainly improve on his current numbers.

So far this season, Ruutu compiled just eight points (five goals, three assists), making him a fantasy non-factor. Thanks to his new linemates, there’s a chance that this may change. Keep an eye on this situation.

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