Tootoo, a 33-year-old spark plug winger, was signed to a one-year deal after some good words were put in by the Blackhawks players. He appeared in 66 games with the Devils last year, scoring four goals and nine points to go with 102 penalty minutes. Tootoo will fill the void left by Andrew Shaw as the team’s agitator, and will likely be stapled to the fourth line. Despite Chicago’s immense talent, Tootoo is unlikely to post any noteworthy offensive numbers and will be looking to make a statement with his physical play instead.
Tootoo is one of a handful of players competing for grind-line time for the coming season, along with Drew Miller, Patrick Eaves, Cory Emmerton and others. That may make him expendable, as he is currently being mentioned in trade talks. He had eight points in 42 games in 2012-13.
Tootoo joins the Red Wings after an eight-year run as a pest for the rival Predators and his assignment in Detroit will likely be on a checking line after he signed a three-year, $5.7 million deal in July. Coming off of a career-high 30 points, there will be questions about Tootoo's ability to repeat that offensive performance, but he remains a useful option for leagues that reward penalty minutes (92) even though he's no longer a lock to reach triple digits in that category.
Tootoo will be in his eighth season with the Predators, coming off a season with eight goals, 10 assists, and 85 shots on goal. In tying his career high in points last year for the semifinalist Predators, he is also the franchise's all-time leader in penalty minutes. The enforcer should be a force to be reckoned with and have more scoring opportunities in coach Barry Trotz's up-tempo system.
Last season, Tootoo took a major step back in the one category that's relevant to him - penalty minutes. Tootoo managed just 40 PIMs in 2009-10 after posting three consecutive seasons in the 100+ range. In fairness, Tootoo suffered from an assortment of injuries last season which likely robbed him of the desire to get his nose dirty most nights. We expect him to return to his gritty, abrasive self next season if he can stay healthy, and his PIM totals should benefit accordingly. As usual, however, just don't expect a lot from him in the scoring department as he has yet to crack the 20-point plateau in his short NHL career.
Tootoo is all about penalty minutes. He tallied 16 points last season in 72 games, but his 124 PIMs is what stands out. However, he also had a 138 shots on goal, and while his shooting percentage was atrocious, those shots help in a lot of fantasy leagues. Still, he doesn't do enough offensively to make him worthwhile, and even his penalty minutes aren't terrible impressive. He'll put up 20 points tops and is all but a lock to be a minus player.
Tootoo continued to grow his reputation as an agitator in 2007-08. He used his 5'-9" frame to punish opponents, create turnovers and irritate opposing coaches. That role isn't expected to change this season. Toots had his best offensive numbers in his short NHL career last season, posting 11 goals and seven assists in 63 hard-fought games. For those fantasy hockey managers that play in very deep leagues that score penalty minutes, Tootoo is a handy player to pick up.
Tootoo was the great agitator for the Predators in 2006-07. He used his 5'-9" frame to punish opponents, create turnovers and irritate opposing coaches. That role won't likely change this season. We expect Tootoo to be just as abrasive as last season. He does the "dirty" little things that help the Predators to win games, but it doesn't translate into much fantasy value.
Tootoo is the fiesty prospect who will be battling for a regular roster spot with the Predators in 2006-07. Tootoo showed some offensive ability last season registering four goals and six assists in 34 games with Nashville. Tootoo has the ability to grow into a decent NHL player if he can earn a regular roster spot this season.
If anyone projects as the next Theo Fleury (on the ice, at least) it's Tootoo, Nashville's tiny terror on skates. He's only 5'9" but plays like he thinks he's 6'9", recklessly crashing into everything in sight, and he had a knack for the net as a junior (67 goals in his final two seasons with Brandon of the WHL). A more reasonable projection might be a career like Darcy Tucker's, but provided he can stay healthy Tootoo has the potential for much more.
