JAN RUTTA NEWS

Still not close to return Rutta (lower body) is healing slower than anticipated and is not expected back soon, Max Miller of NHL.com reports.

Impact Curtis Pashelka of The San Jose Mercury News adds that Rutta has not started skating following the resumption of practice Tuesday. It's possible Rutta will miss all of the Sharks' upcoming seven-game road trip, which runs through Mar. 6 at Colorado. The 34-year-old blueliner already missed six games prior to the 4 Nations Face-Off and is likely to be out a while longer, though his depth role on the Sharks' blue line means his absence doesn't make much of an impact in fantasy.

FEBRUARY 18 • ROTOWIRE

Not close to returning Rutta (lower body) is expected to return soon after the 4 Nations Face-Off, Curtis Pashelka of The San Jose Mercury News reports Wednesday.

Impact San Jose's first game after the tournament is set for Feb. 23 versus Calgary. Rutta has two goals, eight points, 28 PIM, 37 hits and 76 blocks in 51 outings in 2024-25. Jack Thompson might play regularly while Rutta is unavailable.

JANUARY 29 • ROTOWIRE

Lands on IR Rutta (lower body) was placed on injured reserve Sunday.

Impact The Sharks recalled Jack Thompson from AHL San Jose in a corresponding move. Rutta missed Saturday's 7-2 loss to Florida and will sit out at least two more games after surfacing on the IR list. He has registered two goals, eight points, 51 shots on net, 76 blocked shots and 37 hits across 51 appearances this season.

JANUARY 26 • ROTOWIRE

Out Saturday Rutta (lower body) will miss Saturday's tilt against Florida, according to Max Miller of NHL.com.

Impact Although this will be the first game Rutta has missed during the 2024-25 campaign, he has been playing through this injury. He has two goals, eight points, 28 PIM, 37 hits and 76 blocks in 51 appearances in 2024-25. Marc-Edouard Vlasic will draw back into the lineup due to Rutta's absence.

JANUARY 25 • ROTOWIRE

Banks helpers in loss Rutta posted an even-strength assist in Saturday's 4-1 loss to New York.

Impact Rutta nabbed the primary assist on Barclay Goodrow's lone goal in the loss. Rutta has gotten in the scoresheet in two of his last three games, and through eight appearances in January, he's logged one goal, two assists and a minus-2 rating. The 6-foot-3 blueliner provides value in the form of blocked shots, but he shouldn't warrant much fantasy consideration outside of the deepest of leagues. The 34-year-old has two goals, eight points and a minus-6 rating through 48 outings on the season.

JANUARY 19 • ROTOWIRE

Opens scoring in win Rutta scored a goal and went plus-2 in Tuesday's 6-3 win over the Red Wings.

Impact Rutta opened the scoring just 1:45 into the contest. The 34-year-old defenseman has been moderately productive with four points, 20 blocked shots and a plus-3 rating over his last 12 outings. Rutta isn't one to have lengthy scoring surges -- he's at seven points, 48 shots on net, 69 blocked shots, 33 hits and 26 PIM through 46 appearances this season. The blueliner is likely to remain in a bottom-four role.

JANUARY 15 • ROTOWIRE

Eklund posts 3-point game as Sharks beat Red Wings 6-3 and end Detroit's 7-game win streak

William Eklund had a goal and two assists and the San Jose Sharks ended Detroit’s seven-game winning streak, beating the Red Wings 6-3

JANUARY 15 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Offers helper Rutta posted an assist and three blocked shots in Thursday's 2-1 win over the Lightning.

Impact Rutta snapped a four-game point drought with the helper. The 34-year-old defenseman doesn't contribute a lot of offense, but he can hold his own in a third-pairing role. Rutta is up to six points, 45 shots on net, 60 blocked shots, 31 hits, 26 PIM and a minus-4 rating over 41 outings this season. That lack of offense will keep most fantasy managers away.

JANUARY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Two points in last two games Rutta scored a goal in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Oilers on Saturday.

Impact It was his first goal of the season. Rutta beat Calvin Pickard with a snap shot from the high slot with Yaroslav Askarov on the San Jose bench for an extra attacker during a delayed penalty. Rutta has five points in 36 games this season, but two of those (one goal, one assist) have come in the last two games. His on-ice value is tied to shot blocking -- he has 52 this season. But that doesn't help enough in fantasy. There are better low-offense shot blockers on the wire for your specialist spot.

DECEMBER 22, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Oilers force OT with pulled goaltender, Draisaitl scores to give Edmonton 3-2 win over Sharks

Leon Draisaitl scored 18 seconds into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers overcame a slow start to win their second straight game in extra time and beat the San Jose Sharks 3-2

DECEMBER 22, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Puts up assist Rutta notched an assist, three shots on goal and three blocked shots in Thursday's 4-2 loss to the Avalanche.

Impact Rutta has managed three helpers over his last 12 games. The 34-year-old blueliner continues to handle a bottom-four role for the Sharks, serving as a steady veteran mentor to the team's younger defensemen. Rutta is at four assists, 39 shots on net, 29 hits, 52 blocked shots, 22 PIM and a minus-6 rating over 35 appearances this season, so he doesn't need to be rostered in the vast majority of fantasy formats.

DECEMBER 20, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Secures helper in loss Rutta notched an assist and went minus-2 in Thursday's 8-1 loss to the Lightning.

Impact Rutta has two helpers over his last six games. The 34-year-old defenseman has three assists, a minus-7 rating, 30 shots on net, 26 hits, 41 blocked shots and 16 PIM through 29 outings overall. He's playing on the third pairing with no power-play usage and an average of 16:54 of ice time per game, so there's virtually no fantasy appeal in his role.

DECEMBER 6, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Snaps slump with assist Rutta logged an assist and two blocked shots in Monday's 7-2 win over the Kings.

Impact The helper was Rutta's first point since Opening Night. The 34-year-old defenseman has been limited to two helpers, 25 shots on net, 23 hits, 39 blocked shots, 16 PIM and a minus-4 rating over 24 appearances this season. He's not known for his offense, but this has been a poor first seven weeks of the campaign by any measure. It's unclear if Rutta will be at risk of losing his spot in the lineup once Marc-Edouard Vlasic (back) is ready to debut.

NOVEMBER 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

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.

NOVEMBER 17, 2024 • 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, 2024 • 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, 2024 • 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, 2024 • 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, 2024 • 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, 2024 • 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, 2024 • 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, 2024 • 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, 2024 • 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, 2024 • 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, 2024 • 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, 2024 • ROTOWIRE