Tocchet and Ruutu in War of Words

Jarkko Ruutu is an agitator who always seems to find his way into the news. He's no Sean Avery, but close. In January he was suspended two games for biting Buffalo's Andrew Peters during a scrum and in November it was two for an elbow to the head. So, after Ruutu laid a questionable hit on Tampa Bay's Ryan Craig Sunday, Lightning coach Rick Tocchet called him out.

What ensued was a really entertaining war of words that is giving two cities long out of the playoff picture something to talk about.

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun is all over the story, and has some money quotes. For starters, there's the following reaction from Tocchet about the hit on Craig.

"Craig's had two knee operations, so I don't think that was professional," said Tocchet, a rugged player during his 18 years in the NHL. "I have a suit on, so I can't do anything about it. I wish I didn't have a suit on."

It looks to me like Tocchet stumbled upon a way to help out the Lightning's attendance figures down the stretch. Sign the coach to a two-game playing contract and have him skate around, beating the crud out of opposing teams. Sadly, he wouldn't get a crack at Ruutu, as the Senators and Lightning don't meet again this season, but, hey, maybe we could work out some kind of WWE-like PPV event for the summer.

Ruutu, not one to shy away from these kinds of things, fired back with this:

"That's good," said. "It seems to work. If I can get the coaches rattled, I think it's a huge compliment for me. (Tocchet's) playing career is over now.

"In games, that's what it's all about. If you throw some 'meatheads' on the ice, then you've got to take advantage of it. Maybe (Tocchet) should pay attention to how his team is doing. There's a lot more to worry about than me in that organization."

Ding! This self-appointed judge awards Round One to Ruutu! It was a close bout all the way, but there's nothing better than telling someone to worry about their own organization when yours is in almost as much trouble. Gentlemen, please head back to your corners and prepare for the next round!