2023–24 Time On Ice Stats
Ice Time
Power Play
Short-Handed
Past Fantasy Outlooks
The streaky Czech has become more and more injury-prone the last few years, and at 36, is getting up there in age. Rucinsky has never scored more than 60 points in a season (1995-96 with Montreal), and there's no reason to think he'll do it now. Unfortunately, his best work in the past few years was when he was playing with Jaromir Jagr while with the New York Rangers (55 points in 2005-06), and he won't be playing with anyone of that caliber as long as he's with the Blues. You should only be drafting Rucinsky in medium to deep leagues.
Rucinsky had 55 points in 52 games with the Rangers this past season, but it will be difficult for him to match those totals this season without Jaromir Jagr as his linemate. If, as expected, the Blues go with the All-American line (Keith Tkachuk-Doug Weight-Bill Guerin), Rucinsky would likely line up with fellow Czech Petr Cajanek and Slovak winger Vladimir Orszagh. If true, Rucinsky will end up a fringe forward in most pools unless he can crack the Blues' first-power play unit.
Rucinsky is making his third tour of duty with the Blueshirts; playing briefly in 2001-02, and the last time around in 2003-04 before being traded to the Canucks for prospects. His immediate role is to open on the Rangers' second line with Steve Rucchin and Jamie Lundmark, whether he'll stay with this group is to be determined; but we should be reserved to think his production will be anything other than consistent -- Ruchinsky is an extremely streaky player, and when hot, can carry a team for a week or two.
