'TOUGH TO GET OFF THE PUCK'

Big body. Great speed. Soft hands.
On paper, Adam Ruzicka has all the tools to not only be an effective player in this league, but a truly impactful one.
Especially at crunch time, or deep in the spring when the games get nasty.
"We need that type of player in our lineup," Head Coach Darryl Sutter said at the morning skate. "This is a team that hasn't had much success for a number of years, either making the playoffs or in the playoffs, and he's a big guy that's got a really good skill-set.
"It's kind of up to him where his game goes. I'm willing to be patient with him as long as his work ethic is based on a third effort-type of situation."

Ruzicka was on for two goals against on Thursday in St. Louis, but Sutter notes that he wasn't responsible for either of them.
Regardless, a dash-two on the score sheet could sometimes be cause for alarm with a young player.
Not in this case.
And not for a coach like Sutter, who's aiming to groom this talented, 22-year-old into a dynamic power forward.
Ruzicka will be back in the lineup tonight centring the fourth line with Brett Ritchie and Trevor Lewis. It's a great show of confidence for the towering pivot as he looks to make the most of this opportunity.
"When he gets moving and gets the puck, he's so big and he's tough to get off the puck," said Lewis, who broke into the league at a similar age back in 2009-10. "He makes really good subtle plays that help us get out of the zone. And when we do get in the offensive zone, he's got the offensive instincts to get to the net and find those soft areas. He's also been good on draws for us, so he's been great."
Ruzicka has a pair of goals and one assist in eight games this year, along with strong possession numbers (56.82% with a 54.35% offensive zone-start percentage), and a 45% success rate in the faceoff circle.
There are always going to be bumps along the way, but turning the page and moving on to the next one at this level is key to keeping the train moving in the right direction.
"It's big," Lewis said. "Everyone's going to make mistakes in games and our whole line can be better there. It's good for him (to get back in the lineup), to get some confidence, and he's not a guy that's not going to get too down on himself.
"He's going to try and get it back tonight.
"He's been real positive. Just try to talk to him and help him out as much as I can."