JAN RUTTA NEWS

Cold on offense Rutta was held off the scoresheet for the 18th game in a row in Saturday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Penguins.

Impact Rutta had a helper in the season opener and hasn't picked up a point since. He's added 17 shots on net, 16 PIM, 21 hits, 34 blocked shots and a minus-5 rating through 19 appearances this season. As a veteran on a fairly young blue line, Rutta's playing time appears to be secure, but it'll likely be in bottom-four minutes with no power-play time. That kind of role on a bottom-dwelling team like the Sharks makes the 34-year-old a no-go for the vast majority of fantasy formats.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Chips in with assist Rutta logged an assist and blocked six shots in Thursday's 5-4 overtime loss to the Blues.

Impact Rutta is more of a shutdown defenseman, but he's likely to fill a top-four role this season, so he could still make an impact on offense. The 34-year-old blueliner had 19 points in 69 appearances in 2023-24, his highest total since 2017-18. Rutta also had a minus-21 rating in his first year with the Sharks, and that's an area that will be difficult for him to improve as the team remains in its rebuilding phase.

OCTOBER 11 • ROTOWIRE

Ready to go Rutta (undisclosed) will practice in the second session Friday.

Impact Rutta is healthy at training camp after missing the final two games of the 2023-24 campaign . The 34-year-old blueliner had five goals, 14 assists, 69 shots on net, 69 hits and 110 blocked shots in 69 regular-season appearances with the Sharks.

SEPTEMBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Set to miss remainder of season Rutta (undisclosed) will miss the final two games of the regular season, Max Miller of The Hockey News reports.

Impact Rutta will finish 2023-24 with five goals, 19 points, 69 shots on net, 110 blocked shots and 69 hits in 69 games. He still has one more season left on his three-year, $8.25 million contract.

APRIL 15 • ROTOWIRE

Tickles twine Rutta scored a goal on two shots and went minus-2 in Saturday's 6-2 loss to the Wild.

Impact Rutta ended a six-game slump by scoring the Sharks' first goal. The 33-year-old defenseman is up to five goals, 19 points, 69 shots on net, 68 hits, 110 blocked shots, 38 PIM and a minus-21 rating through 69 appearances. Rutta is one goal and one point shy of his career highs in those respective categories, and he's got two more games to add to his totals.

APRIL 14 • ROTOWIRE

Deposits empty-netter Rutta scored an empty-net goal, blocked two shots and went plus-2 in Saturday's 4-0 win over the Blues.

Impact Rutta has a point in three straight games, earning a goal and two assists in that span. The 33-year-old is up to four goals -- his most in a season since 2017-18, his first NHL campaign -- with 14 assists, 61 shots on net, 98 blocked shots, 62 hits and a minus-18 rating over 62 appearances. He needs two more points to match his career high of 20, which he also achieved in 2017-18.

MARCH 31 • ROTOWIRE

Snags helper in loss Rutta notched an assist, three blocked shots and a minus-2 rating in Tuesday's 6-3 loss to the Stars.

Impact This was Rutta's fourth game back from a lower-body injury. The 33-year-old defenseman continues to see top-four usage, but playing for a low-scoring team will keep his offense down. He's produced 16 points, 60 shots on net, 96 blocked shots, 60 hits and a minus-19 rating through 60 appearances this season.

MARCH 27 • ROTOWIRE

Faces off against Preds Rutta had one blocked shot in 20:12 of ice time in Tuesday's 8-2 loss to Nashville.

Impact After missing the last five games with a lower body injury, Rutta returned to his regular spot on the second pairing with partner Henry Thrun. Rutta finished with two shots, one blocked shot and a minus-5 rating in 20:12 of ice time. The 33-year old defenseman offers a solid defensive presence with some peripheral offensive contributions. He may be an option for deeper leagues or those needing help in blocked shots and hits categories, but his offensive upside is limited.

MARCH 20 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to lineup Rutta (lower body) will be back in the lineup Tuesday on the road in Nashville, per Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now.

Impact Rutta will return to action after missing the past five games due to injury. The 33-year-old has three goals and 12 assists in 56 games played this season. He will either be on the second or third defensive pairing when the Sharks visit Nashville on Tuesday.

MARCH 19 • ROTOWIRE

Out again Sunday Rutta (lower body) won't play Sunday versus the Blackhawks, per Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now.

Impact Rutta will miss his fifth straight game. He has chipped in three goals, 15 points, 90 blocked shots and 58 hits across 56 appearances this campaign. Once he's cleared to return, Rutta could challenge Marc-Edouard Vlasic or Jacob MacDonald for playing time.

MARCH 17 • ROTOWIRE

Still out Thursday Rutta (lower body) won't play Thursday versus the Penguins, Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now reports.

Impact Rutta will miss his third straight game with the injury, though he is on the Sharks' current road trip. With Jacob MacDonald (illness) also out, the Sharks will dress five defensemen for Thursday's game. It's unclear if Rutta will be cleared to return Saturday versus the Blue Jackets.

MARCH 14 • ROTOWIRE

Remains day-to-day Rutta (lower body) is still day-to-day and won't be an option against the Flyers on Tuesday, per NHL.com.

Impact Rutta isn't exactly an offensive powerhouse but with 16 points in 56 games this season, the blueliner could reach the 20-point threshold for the first time since his rookie season with Chicago back in 2017-18. Even once cleared to play, Rutta should reclaim a spot in the lineup, perhaps at the expense of Jacob MacDonald.

MARCH 12 • ROTOWIRE

Misses game, will travel on trip Rutta (lower body) missed Saturday's game versus the Senators but will travel with the Sharks for their road trip, which begins Tuesday in Philadelphia, Max Miller of The Hockey Ne...

Impact Rutta's presence on the trip suggests his injury is of the short-term variety. When he's ready to play again, Calen Addison or Jacob MacDonald are the most likely defensemen to exit the lineup.

MARCH 10 • ROTOWIRE

Notches assist Rutta posted an assist in Tuesday's 7-6 overtime loss to the Stars.

Impact This was Rutta's third helper in the last six contests. The 33-year-old blueliner has been solid in a top-four role lately, though his offense remains modest at best. He's up to 15 points, 54 shots on net, 89 blocked shots, 58 hits, 36 PIM and a minus-11 rating through 55 outings overall. Rutta's likely to maintain his current role, but his fantasy value is limited to deeper formats.

MARCH 6 • ROTOWIRE

Hands out helper Rutta posted an assist, four blocked shots and two hits in Saturday's 3-2 shootout loss to the Stars.

Impact Rutta has two helpers and 10 blocked shots over his last four games. The 33-year-old defenseman continues to see significant minutes in a top-four role, but mostly as a defense-first presence. He's up to 14 points, 53 shots on net, 87 blocks, 57 hits and a minus-13 rating over 53 appearances this season.

MARCH 3 • ROTOWIRE

Reaches 10-assist mark Rutta posted an assist in Saturday's 4-2 loss to the Predators.

Impact Rutta snapped a five-game point drought when he set up Filip Zadina's third-period tally. The 33-year-old Rutta has been solid in a top-four role this season, picking up 13 points, 48 shots on net, 54 hits, 78 blocked shots and a minus-13 rating over 50 appearances. His offense isn't high enough to carry much value in standard fantasy formats.

FEBRUARY 25 • ROTOWIRE

Fills empty cage Rutta scored an empty-net goal in Tuesday's 2-0 win over the Kraken.

Impact Rutta's point streak is at five games (three goals, three assists) after he added the insurance tally Tuesday. The 33-year-old has rarely had such productive stretches in his career, but it coincides with him seeing more consistent top-four usage with Mario Ferraro (lower body) out. Rutta is up to three goals, 12 points, 41 shots on net, 70 blocked shots, 36 hits and a minus-10 rating through 44 appearances this season.

JANUARY 31 • ROTOWIRE

Two assists in overtime win Rutta provided two assists, three blocked shots and two PIM in Tuesday's 3-2 overtime win over the Rangers.

Impact Rutta is warm right now, earning four points over the last three games, all wins for the Sharks. He played a key role Tuesday, setting up Ryan Carpenter for the game-tying goal in the third period and Tomas Hertl for the game-winner in overtime. Rutta has 10 points, 38 shots on net, 68 blocked shots, 36 hits, 18 PIM and a minus-11 rating through 42 appearances. The 33-year-old may see a larger role while Mario Ferraro (undisclosed) is out.

JANUARY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Chips in with helper Rutta provided an assist and went plus-2 in Saturday's 7-4 loss to the Canucks.

Impact Rutta has five helpers over nine appearances in December. The 33-year-old has been a steady presence in a top-four role when healthy this season, but he doesn't add much offense. Rutta's at six assists, 29 shots on net, 45 blocked shots and a minus-11 rating through 28 appearances.

DECEMBER 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Good to play Thursday Rutta (illness) is available for Thursday's game against Arizona, Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now reports.

Impact Rutta has five assists, 17 hits and 43 blocks in 26 contests with the Sharks this season. His return might result in Henry Thrun being a healthy scratch Thursday.

DECEMBER 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Unavailable for Tuesday's game Rutta (illness) won't suit up Tuesday versus the Kings, Max Miller of The Hockey News reports.

Impact Rutta was considered a game-time decision, but he did not participate in warmups. The 33-year-old previously missed five games this season with an undisclosed injury. Rutta's next chance to play is Thursday versus the Coyotes.

DECEMBER 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Game-time call Rutta (illness) will be a game-time decision Tuesday against the Kings, according to Curtis Pashelka of The San Jose Mercury News.

Impact Rutta has produced five assists, 29 shots on goal, 43 blocked shots and 17 hits in 26 games this season. If he can't play, Marc-Edouard Vlasic will replace him on the blue line.

DECEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Notches assist in win Rutta posted an assist in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Jets.

Impact Rutta has racked up four assists over five games since he returned from an undisclosed injury that cost him five contests. The 33-year-old defenseman had managed just one assist over the first 19 games of the season. He's stabilized his place in the Sharks' bottom four as a veteran presence for the team's many young blueliners. Rutta is at five assists, 24 shots on net, 39 blocked shots and a minus-11 rating over 24 appearances.

DECEMBER 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Activated from IR Rutta (undisclosed) was activated from the IR prior to Sunday's game against the Rangers.

Impact Rutta had missed San Jose's last five games after suffering an injury on Nov. 22 in Seattle. The 33-year-old blueliner has one point (an assist) with a minus-11 rating while averaging 18:37 of ice time in his first season with the Sharks.

DECEMBER 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nearing return to action Rutta (undisclosed) won't play against the Devils on Friday but is expected to play during the team's road trip, Max Miller of The Hockey News reports.

Impact Rutta will be out of action for his fifth consecutive game due to his undisclosed injury. With just one point in 19 games this season, the 33-year-old blueliner shouldn't be expected to offer much in the way of offensive upside this season, making him a relative non-factor in fantasy contests.

DECEMBER 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE