News:Ryan Whitney (lower body) has ripped the organization for making him a healthy scratch so many times this season, according to the Edmonton Journal.
Analysis:Ryan Whitney had no problem stating that there were others who should've been scratched before him. If Whitney's play hadn't made him unlikely to return to Edmonton next season, his words more than likely have.
News:Ryan Whitney (leg) missed his second-consecutive game on Friday, sitting during the Oilers' 6-1 win over Minnesota.
Analysis:Ryan Whitney's season has, again, been riddled by minor injuries, but he's managed 13 points, a minus-7 rating in 34 scattered games.
News:Ryan Whitney (leg) will not play Wednesday against the Blackhawks, the Edmonton Journal reports.
Analysis:Ryan Whitney has a chance at getting back in the lineup two remaining games, but with the Oilers out of the playoff race, he probably won't play if he's at less than 100 percent. Mark Fistric will take his spot on the blue line Wednesday.
News:Ryan Whitney is currently listed as day-to-day with an undisclosed injury, Dan Tencer of 630 CHED reports.
Analysis:Ryan Whitney played Monday against the Ducks, so it's unknown what is ailing the defenseman. He has 13 points in 34 games this season.
News:Ryan Whitney notched his second goal of the year in Tuesday's shootout loss to the Jackets.
Analysis: After being confined to the doghouse for a while, suddenly Ryan Whitney's scored three goals in two games. He even set a season high in shots Tuesday, putting three on goal -- not an impressive statistic, but it's a start.
News:Ryan Whitney scored Edmonton's second goal in Friday's loss to St. Louis, his first game after being a healthy scratch for several contests.
Analysis: The odds are high that Edmonton will look to move Ryan Whitney before the April 3 trade deadline and performances like Friday's could help convince a team to take on the albatross that is Whitney and his bloated contract. He has the offensive skill to contribute, but he has a tendency to disappear more than occasionally.
News:Ryan Whitney will play for the Oilers versus the Blues on Friday, according to the Edmonton Journal.
Analysis: Injuries to Mark Fistric and Corey Potter necessitated Ryan Whitney's inclusion into the lineup. Fistric and Potter aren't expected to be out more than a game or two, so Whitney could find himself riding the pine as soon as Sunday if he doesn't impress coach Ralph Kreuger.
News: The Oilers are not receiving any trade offers for Ryan Whitney, according to the Edmonton Journal.
Analysis:Ryan Whitney has been caught in a game of musical chairs in Edmonton, and the music has stopped quite often without him having a chair. A trade would seem to be the best thing for both sides but Whitney's trade value seems to be next to zero right now, which is surprising as a defenseman seems to be at the top of quite a few team's needs.
News:Ryan Whitney was a healthy scratch once again Saturday versus Phoenix, according to the Edmonton Journal.
Analysis: That marks the fifth time in the last nine games that Ryan Whitney has watched from the press box. Unless an injury occurs, it would be an upset if Whitney is still with the team by the time the trade deadline expires.
News:Ryan Whitney will be a healthy scratch Thursday against the Wild, the Edmonton Journal reports.
Analysis: Theo Peckham will take his spot in the lineup Thursday, while the 29-year-old Ryan Whitney's future could well involve a trade down the road.
News:Ryan Whitney will be back in the lineup for Saturday's tilt versus Colorado, according to the Oilers web site.
Analysis:Ryan Whitney had been a healthy scratch for three of the past five games but with pair with Jeff Petry on Saturday. Whitney could be auditioning for a place on another team as his name has come up in quite a few trade discussions, most recently the Senators are said to be interested after losing Erik Karlsson for the season.
News:Ryan Whitney will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, according to the Edmonton Journal.
Analysis: These scratches are now becoming a semi-regular thing, as Ryan Whitney will watch his third game in the last five from the press box. Whitney has spoken up about his frustration with not being in the lineup, but this is the second straight season in which he's been ineffective on the ice, as he's got three assists and a minus-6 rating in 10 games.
News:Ryan Whitney may be traded by the Oilers in the near future, according to the Edmonton Journal.
Analysis:Ryan Whitney has been a healthy scratch in two of the last four games and doesn't seem to be a favorite of new coach Ralph Krueger. Whitney is also a free agent after the season and the Oilers may want to see what they can get for him rather than just see him walk away for nothing.
News:Ryan Whitney will be a healthy scratch for Sunday's game against the Blue Jackets, Derek Van Diest of the Edmonton Sun reports.
Analysis: With Mark Fistric (back) returning to the lineup, Ryan Whitney will watch from the press box. The 29-year-old Whitney has three assists this season, but he's currently sporting a minus-6 rating.
News:Ryan Whitney, who's played in all eight of the Oilers' games this season so far, is expected to be a healthy scratch for Monday's game against Vancouver.
Analysis:Ryan Whitney has three assists so far, but his minus-5 stands out and that's after a minus-16 rating last season. His ice time is also down 2:20 per game from last season. Clearly he's got some items the team wants him to work on.
News:Ryan Whitney believes he won't have any ankle problems this season, according to the Edmonton Journal.
Analysis: Over the years ankle problems have sidetracked what looked like a promising career at one point. Ryan Whitney is still likely to man the top d-line for Edmonton, possibly with Justin Schultz. The Oilers have capable young forwards and should score aplenty. Whitney could be solid pickup late in your fantasy drafts.
News:Ryan Whitney hasn't been the offensive force on the blue line the Oilers were hoping for this season.
Analysis:Ryan Whitney has only three goals and 16 points to go along with a minus-18 rating. Combine that with the fact that he has only played 42 games so far, and you pretty much have a season to forget for Whitney.
News:Ryan Whitney (ankle) played 18:27 in his return to action Tuesday night.
Analysis: He fired one shot on goal while delivering a hit and blocking a pair of shots. Ryan Whitney has been plagued by injuries this season and has just three points in 18 games with a minus-6 rating heading into the All-Star break.
News:Ryan Whitney (ankle) is expected to play against Vancouver on Tuesday, EdmontonOilers.com reports.
Analysis:Ryan Whitney's ankle issue could significantly limit his effectiveness, and he isn't even a guarantee to stay active the rest of the year, but he is someone who could help some fantasy owners if he has made progress with the injury.
News:Ryan Whitney (ankle) will give his ankle one more try before calling it a season, according to the Edmonton Journal.
Analysis:Ryan Whitney admits the ankle still isn't 100 percent and may not be until he can rest it for an extended period of time. He is willing to try and play through the pain and see if he can finish out the season; if not, he will hang up the skates until training camp next season. Whitney will try and play Monday or Tuesday assuming he passes the fitness test Sunday.
News:Ryan Whitney (ankle) is still no closer to a return to action, according to the Edmonton Journal.
Analysis:Ryan Whitney returned to the team after a visit with his doctor Thursday. He still needs to regain strength in the ankle before he can play. When the strength will return seems to be a big mystery at this point in time.
News:Ryan Whitney (ankle) will remain out of the lineup for the immediate future, according to the Edmonton Sun.
Analysis:Ryan Whitney is still dealing with tendinitis in his surgically repaired ankle that has yet to allow him full mobility and strength in the ankle. The Oilers don't believe that Whitney will miss a huge chunk of time, but are worried that his ankle may not be back at 100% until he has sustained rest and that won't happen until the season is over.
News:Ryan Whitney (ankle) will not play Monday, according to the Oilers web site.
Analysis:Ryan Whitney has never fully recovered from offseason ankle surgery and has been playing through discomfort/pain all year long. He now has tendinitis in the ankle and may have to be managed with occasional days off all season long.
News:Ryan Whitney is still not 100 percent recovered from his ankle injury, according to the Oilers web site.
Analysis:Ryan Whitney has played in 11 straight games so the injury isn't severe enough to keep him out of the lineup, but it is hindering his fantasy performance as his numbers just aren't there at this point in time.
Oilers' Whitney Plays Over 16 Minutes In His Return
News:Ryan Whitney (ankle) played over 16 minutes in his return to the lineup Friday, according to the Edmonton Journal.
Analysis:Ryan Whitney admitted that he was a little rusty in his return to game action, but more importantly, didn't suffer any setbacks when it came to his ankle.
News:Ryan Whitney (knee) will return to the lineup for Friday's game against the Wild, according to the Oilers' official Twitter page.
Analysis:Ryan Whitney is ready to go after practicing for the last week. Expect him to jump right back into the lineup, likely in place of Alex Plante.
News:Ryan Whitney (ankle) returned to practice Friday, according to the Edmonton Journal.
Analysis:Ryan Whitney is still a few games away from returning to the lineup but will travel with the team when they head out for their four game road trip Sunday.
News: Head coach Tom Renney believes Ryan Whitney (knee) is about 10 days from returning, the Edmonton Journal reports.
Analysis:Ryan Whitney skated on his own Tuesday, but having not played since Oct. 25, he'll have to get back into playing shape before returning to game action.
News:Ryan Whitney (knee) is now expected to be out of the lineup for three weeks, according to the Edmonton Journal.
Analysis: The prognosis just keeps getting worse and worse for Ryan Whitney. He's coming off ankle surgery and was just getting into the swing of things before this injury, this could be a tough first half for the Oilers best defenseman.
News:Ryan Whitney (knee) is expected to miss one-to-two weeks, Nick Kypreos of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Analysis: The Oilers insist that the injury is "nothing serious," but it's possible that he'll be headed back to IR for a brief stint to open up an extra roster spot during his absence.
News:Ryan Whitney's injury from Tuesday night has been classified as a sprained right knee, the Associated Press reports. Coach Tom Renney didn't think the injury was serious.
Analysis:Ryan Whitney collided with teammate Corey Potter in the first period. He came back for the final couple of minutes in the first period, but then didn't play the rest of the game.
News:Ryan Whitney injured his ankle during the game Tuesday, according to the Oilers web site.
Analysis: Not good news for someone who has missed most of the past year due to ankle injuries. No word yet if this is a new injury or an aggravation of the old one.
News:Ryan Whitney (ankle) was held off the scoresheet in his season debut Tuesday night, skating 21:22 without registering a point.
Analysis:Ryan Whitney was a -1 and didn't tally a shot, block or hit in a losing effort Tuesday. There will be better days, but this was a slow start.
News:Ryan Whitney (ankle) will return to the lineup Tuesday, but is expected to see under 20 minutes of ice time, the Oilers' official Twitter page reports.
Analysis:Ryan Whitney had 25 assists in only 35 games last season and has a 59-point season on his resume. Exercise caution at first, as he has not played since December 2010, but once Whitney is back to full speed there are not too many fantasy defensemen with his scoring upside.
News:Ryan Whitney (ankle) won't play Monday against Nashville, Dan Tencer of CHED reports.
Analysis: He's expected to return Tuesday or Thursday, but it's currently unclear which of those games will mark his season debut.
News:Ryan Whitney (ankle) has an outside chance of returning to the lineup Monday, Dan Tencer of CHED in Edmonton reports.
Analysis: We should know more one way or the other following the team's morning skate Monday.
News:Ryan Whitney (ankle) will not play Saturday, Dan Tencer of CHED in Edmonton reports.
Analysis: Much like teammates Ben Eager and Sam Gagner, Ryan Whitney is being evaluated on a game-by-game basis right now while the Oilers are providing few details about the extent of his injury.
News:Ryan Whitney (ankle) will not play Thursday, according to the Oilers web site.
Analysis:Ryan Whitney is still trying to get his ankle back in shape, and along with Ben Eager and Sam Gagner, did not make the trip to Minnesota.
News:Ryan Whitney (ankle) is getting closer to a return to action, according to the Edmonton Journal.
Analysis:Ryan Whitney was practicing with the fourth defensive pair. which is an indication that he may not play in the Oilers' next game, but should be back shortly.
News:Ryan Whitney (ankle) will not be activated from injured reserve for Sunday's opener against the Penguins, Dan Tencer of 630 CHED reports.
Analysis: The Oilers hoped Ryan Whitney would be able to play in the season opener, but they will hold him out of at least the first game to give his ankle more time to heal.
Oilers' Whitney Likely To Play Reduced Minutes Sunday
News:Ryan Whitney (ankle) probably won't play his usual 25 minutes per game Sunday against Pittsburgh, The Edmonton Journal reports.
Analysis: "I'm not sure of Ryan's fitness right now. I don't think it's, say, 28 minutes, a game," Oilers head coach Tom Renney said. "He might be 18 a night because he hasn't played games for a long time." Ryan Whitney injured his ankle last December. Renney went on to praise Whitney's passing ability, and rightfully so, as the defenseman had 25 assists in just 35 games last season.
News:Ryan Whitney (ankle) was placed on IR on Thursday, according to the Edmonton Journal.
Analysis:Ryan Whitney did not suffer a setback and still looks like he could play in the season opener Sunday. This was just a bookkeeping move as the Oilers had to hand in their 23-man roster to the NHL.
News:Ryan Whitney (ankle) could begin the season on IR, according to the Edmonton Journal.
Analysis:Ryan Whitney hasn't played all pre-season, so this should not come as a shock. Even if the Oilers believe Whitney could play Sunday, they may place him on IR anyway as Whitney can be taken off the list at anytime since he ended last season also on IR.
News:Ryan Whitney (ankle) may not play this pre-season, according to the Edmonton Journal.
Analysis:Ryan Whitney will travel with the team for their last two games, but the Oilers will only play him if they feel his ankle is up to the task. Whitney is the key to the Oilers defense this season, but if/when he will be 100% healthy is still unknown at this time.
News:Ryan Whitney says he'll push his injured ankle to get some practice time in, but won't play injured, according to Dan Tencer of the Oilers Radio Network.
Analysis: This is going slower than expected, and could even run into regular season action. Ryan Whitney says there's no timeline on becoming pain free, while we'll also note the Oilers were planning on decreasing his ice time anyway this season in an attempt to keep him healthier.
News: The Oilers are going to play it safe with Ryan Whitney (ankle) during camp and early in the regular season, according to the Edmonton Journal.
Analysis: The Oilers want to make sure that Ryan Whitney's ankle gets as close to 100 percent healthy as possible. He is still feeling some pain in the ankle and won't be on the ice as much as other players during camp. The Oilers have also talked to Whitney about lowering his ice time during games to about 20 minutes, rather than the 25 he was averaging last season.
News:Ryan Whitney sprained his ankle when it was caught in a rut on the ice earlier this month, according to the Edmonton Journal.
Analysis:Ryan Whitney expects to be at full strength before training camp opens in two and a half weeks, but with Whitney's injury history, an injury is cause for concern.
News:Ryan Whitney (ankle) is expected to be ready to go once training camp opens, according to the Edmonton Journal.
Analysis:Ryan Whitney has always been able to produce offensively for every team he has played for, but staying healthy for any significant amount of time has been his undoing.
News: Coach Tom Renney said that he doesn't expect Whitney (ankle) to play another game this season, Dan Tencer of 630 CHED reports.
Analysis: Whitney skated while wearing a track suit Friday, but his presence on the ice isn't an indication that he'll be available to play in any of Edmonton's remaining games.
News: Whitney (ankle) is hoping to play again this season, according to the Edmonton Journal.
Analysis: Whitney injured his ankle in late December and was originally thought to be out for the season. Whitney's tendon popped out of his ankle and had to be surgically put back in place. While Whitney is coming along well after surgery, it is still highly unlikely that he plays again this season as he will still be in a walking boot for a few weeks. The Oilers will most likely play it safe and let Whitney have the whole summer to rehab.
News: Whitney (ankle) will miss the remainder of the season, according to the Edmonton Journal.
Analysis: Whitney had surgery Monday on his ankle and won't be able to play again until next season. No details were given about the surgery other than his ankle was repaired.
News: Whitney (ankle) will undergo surgery Monday, according to a report on CBC's Hockey Night in Canada.
Analysis: The news came straight from his agent who confirmed the trip to Carolina wasn't for an assessment but for a surgical procedure. This likely spells the end of the season and a very long rehab for the talented defender.
News: Whitney (ankle) will fly to Carolina on Monday to have his injury assessed, according to a report on CBC's Hockey Night in Canada.
Analysis: He was supposed to fly there a week ago but strangely enough, he was called for jury duty and couldn't get out of it. Fingers crossed that there will be good news for his owners very soon.
News: Whitney (ankle) will be out of action for at least a month, according to the Edmonton Journal.
Analysis: The Oilers won't know the true extent of the injury to Whitney's ankle until the swelling subsides in about two weeks. It is at that point that the doctors will decide if surgery is needed. If the tendon is dislocated than Whitney could be out much longer than just a month.
News: Whitney (ankle) did not practice Wednesday and may be placed on injured reserve, Oilers radio broadcaster Dan Tencer reports.
Analysis: If he does land on IR, which is still just speculation at this point, he would miss at least the Oilers' next three games before a possible return Thursday against the Islanders. Look for the team to make a decision at some point before Thursday's game against Colorado.
News: Whitney left early in the first period of Tuesday's loss to Buffalo with an ankle injury and did not return.
Analysis: Whitney played just 3:48 in the game prior to the injury. Whitney's absence forced Tom Gilbert to play over 30 minutes and Jeff Petry to play nearly 23 minutes in his NHL debut. Consider Whitney day-to-day for now and hope for some good news.
Whitney Making A Positive Impression On The Oilers
News: Whitney has rewarded the Oilers faith in him, according to the Edmonton Journal.
Analysis: The Oilers traded Lubomir Visnovsky in order to obtain Whitney, and they couldn't be happier. They view Whitney as a younger, cheaper, and better player and he is putting up a solid season with 24 assists in 31 games, is a plus 12, and plays 26 minutes a game. Wouldn't be a bad pickup for your fantasy team either.
News: Whitney assisted on Taylor Hall's overtime goal as the Oilers beat St. Louis on Saturday, 2-1.
Analysis: He still doesn't have a goal this season, but if your league counts assists, he's a very valuable rearguard. Last month we forecast that he might challenge the 40-assist level this season, but right now that projection looks too modest; 50 assists are foreseeable and 60 aren't out of the question.
News: Whitney had a pair of helpers in Friday's 4-3 shootout loss to visiting Phoenix.
Analysis: Whitney has been one of the few bright spots this season for Edmonton as he picked up his 16th assist Friday. He looks primed to challenge the 40-assist plateau; something he has hit once already in his career. Whitney also seems to holding his own with only a minus-1 for the year while playing on the team with the most goals against.
News: Whitney missed practice Monday with a laceration on his arm, according to the Edmonton Journal.
Analysis: The injury is not expected to keep him out of any game action. The Oilers were just being cautious with Whitney when they kept him off the ice Monday.
News: Whitney (face) didn't practice Tuesday, according to the Edmonton Journal.
Analysis: Whitney took a puck to the face on Monday during the game against Vancouver. Tests show that Whitney suffered no broken bones but he will not play Wednesday night.
News: Whitney's foot is still not 100 percent after offseason surgery, according to the Edmonton Journal.
Analysis: Whitney has abnormally high arches which realigned the bones in his feet, forcing him to have two surgeries to correct the problem. Whitney states that he is not in any pain and that everything is coming along fine, but this could be a situation worth watching.
News: Oilers D Ryan Whitney scored a goal and tallied an assist during Sunday's game against the Ducks. Whitney, traded to Edmonton for Lubomir Visnovsky right after returning from the Vancouver Olympics, scored against his former team at the 2:50 mark of the third. He totaled two goals and four assists in his last six games.
Analysis: Whitney totaled three goals, 11 points and a plus-7 rating in 19 games with the Oilers. He had seven goals and 39 points for the season. It was definitely a disappointing year for the talented Whitney and it has been a tough run for him since having foot surgery prior to 2008-09. He said he wasn't completely healthy when he came to Edmonton, so perhaps the offseason will do him some good. However, until Whitney gets back to his elite level, he will remain more of a No. 3 or No. 4 Fantasy defenseman on Draft Day 2010.
News: Oilers D Ryan Whitney shrugged off a leg injury to record an assist in Saturday's 6-4 loss to the Maple Leafs. Whitney left in the third period of Thursday's game and was a question mark to play in Toronto. He finished at even with five blocked shots and one hit.
Analysis: Whitney landed in Edmonton at the trade deadline after Anaheim surprisingly dealt the struggling blueliner. Whitney has no points in his first four games with Edmonton and don't be surprised if it is a struggle for points since the Oilers are the worst team in the NHL. Whitney has become a low-end Fantasy start when healthy. The trade has actually hurt his Fantasy appeal.
News: Oilers D Ryan Whitney left midway through the third period Thursday against the Canadiens with a leg injury. He did not return and had no points in 18:49 of ice time. He also finished at plus-1.
Analysis: Whitney landed in Edmonton at the trade deadline after Anaheim surprisingly dealt the struggling blueliner. Whitney has no points in his first four games with Edmonton and don't be surprised if it is a struggle for points since the Oilers are the worst team in the NHL. Whitney has become a low-end Fantasy start when healthy. The trade has actually hurt his Fantasy appeal.
News: The Oilers have traded D Lubomir Visnovsky to the Ducks in exchange for D Ryan Whitney.
Analysis: Visnovsky returns to southern California, where he spent the first six seasons of his career with the Kings. He managed 67 and 58 points in his final two seasons in L.A., so the prospects of him having a solid March with the Ducks could certainly be in the cards, even if Anaheim isn't having the best season. Continue to roll with Visnovsky in the majority of Fantasy leagues. After being a solid offensive contributor in Pittsburgh, Whitney really had trouble fitting in with the Ducks and now he heads to one of the worst teams in hockey. He's better off being benched in 10-team leagues for now, and owners in 12-team leagues should be worried about this move north.
News: Ducks D Ryan Whitney assisted twice Monday in Anaheim's crucial win over the Kings. Whitney now has five points in his last five games.
Analysis: After managing just one measly point in January, Whitney seems to have figured things out in the last few games, but don't get excited just yet. Despite his early-2010 slump, Whitney is still up to 27 points on the season and could get close to the 40 he put up in 59 games last campaign. Continue to use him in most Fantasy formats as a starting blue-liner.
News:Ryan Whitney and Kyle Chipchura scored first-period goals, and the Anaheim Ducks extended their winning streak at home to nine games with a 3-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday. Playing at home for the first time since Jan. 19, the Ducks took a 1-0 lead 71 seconds into the game with their first shot. Whitney's drive skipped past Jimmy Howard on the stick side as the goalie was screened by teammates Todd Bertuzzi and rookie Jonathan Ericsson.
Analysis: Whitney scored for the first time since Dec. 1. He ended a 16-game point drought when he tallied an assist on Jan. 29. With two points in his last three games, there is hope Whitney is finally ready to go on a nice scoring spree. He can be a high-end Fantasy option, but Whitney is definitely a low-end start until he gets back on track.
News: Ducks D Ryan Whitney stopped a personal 16-game points drought by assisting on James Wisniewski's power-play goal on Friday against the Lightning. It was his 20th assist of the season.
Analysis: Whitney does have 23 points in 55 games, but his offense has still be a huge disappointment in 2009-10. We expect so much more from the talented blueliner, but his career has just been off since having foot surgery prior to the start of the 2008-09 season. He can be a high-end Fantasy option, but Whitney is definitely a low-end start until he gets back on track.
News:The Sports Xchange reports Ducks D Ryan Whitney has not recorded a point in the last 16 games, which is unimaginable considering he logs significant minutes and is a regular member of the power play.
Analysis: Whitney does have 22 points in 54 games, but his offense has still be a huge disappointment in 2009-10. We expect so much more from the talented blueliner, but his career has just been off since having foot surgery prior to the start of the 2008-09 season. He can be a high-end Fantasy option, but Whitney is definitely a low-end start until he gets back on track.
News: Ducks D Ryan Whitney made it eight straight games without a point when he was shut out in Sunday's win over the Blackhawks. He is also minus-6 during his slump.
Analysis: Whitney was an offensive stud in Pittsburgh, but his value has taken a dive since coming to Anaheim. He should end up in the 40s this season, but he isn't likely to get close to his career high of 59 any time soon. He remains worth using in most leagues, however.
News: Ducks D Ryan Whitney picked up two more assists on Friday in a 5-4 loss at Minnesota in a shootout. Whitney has points in every game in December just far.
Analysis: Whitney has 16 points on the season for the Ducks. He has the ability to be a much better contributor and that's why he is still a viable start in most Fantasy formats.
News: Ducks D Ryan Whitney scored a power-play goal during Tuesday's game against the Kings. Staggered penalties to Brad Richardson and Wayne Simmonds gave Anaheim a 5-on-3 power play for 15 seconds, and Whitney beat Jonathan Quick high to the glove side at 17:28 of the period with a one-timer only three seconds after the first penalty expired. It was his third goal and second in six games. He has four points in that span.
Analysis: While Whitney's recent numbers look good, he hasn't been producing like this all season. Most of his Fantasy points came in the first week of the season. We have to say we have been disappointed with Whitney's production this season. He has the ability to be a much better contributor and that's why he is still a viable start in most Fantasy formats.
News: Ducks D Ryan Whitney got an assist Saturday against Detroit, just the third point he's had in the last nine games.
Analysis: Whitney has definitely slowed down offensively and has begun to frustrate Fantasy owners. He really did his best work playing alongside Sergei Gonchar in Pittsburgh and Whitney has struggled since foot surgery prior to last season. We know he can be an effective blueliner, but Whitney does need to get his confidence up. Consider him more of a No. 2 or No. 3 Fantasy defenseman.
News: Ducks D Ryan Whitney had two assists and plus-2 Tuesday against the Wild, but he was in the penalty box for holding when Wild center Eric Belanger tied the game with 2:13 left in the third period.
Analysis: Whitney has a point in each of the Ducks first two games and three total. The addition of Whitney at last season's trade deadline was one of the big reasons Anaheim traded Pronger in the offseason. Whitney had a tough year in 2008-09 since he missed the early part because of a foot injury. But he has been healthy all offseason and is off to a nice start. Whitney has high-end Fantasy appeal as a top blueliner for a Western Conference contender.
News:The Sports Xchange reports Ducks D Ryan Whitney, promoted to the first power-play unit after the offseason trade of D Chris Pronger to Philadelphia, scored Anaheim's first goal of the season with a third-period, man-advantage conversion Saturday against San Jose.
Analysis: The addition of Whitney at last season's trade deadline was one of the big reasons Anaheim traded Pronger in the offseason. Whitney had a tough year in 2008-09 since he missed the early part because of a foot injury. But he has been healthy all offseason and is off to a nice start with a goal. Whitney has high-end Fantasy appeal as a top blueliner for a Western Conference contender.
News:The Sports Xchange reports Ducks defenseman Ryan Whitney, who missed the early portion of the season while with the Pittsburgh Penguins after having undergone foot surgery, had considered having a similar procedure on the other foot, but apparently will not.
Analysis: Whitney was very sluggish out of the gate for Pittsburgh, and as soon as he got going, he was then traded to Anaheim. While he logged plenty of PT, Whitney often got lost in the offensive shuffle with players like Chris Pronger and Scott Niedermayer still on the roster. Whitney had a career-low two goals, 23 points and minus-14 mark. Now that he gets a whole offseason to rest, the Ducks hope he will return to his old puck-moving self in 2009-10. The Ducks' blue line could definitely look a lot different next season if Anaheim chooses to trade Pronger and not sign a handful of free agents -- Niedermayer, Francois Beauchemin, James Wisniewski and Bret Hedican. Whitney is a top candidate for a bounce-back season. Consider him a sleeper in Fantasy.
News: Ducks D Ryan Whitney assisted twice in Thursday's win over the Canucks.
Analysis: Whitney hasn't done too much since coming over to the Ducks in a trade, and so you should be benching him in deeper leagues the rest of the way.
News: It took four games, but Ryan Whitney finally had his first point with the Ducks during Friday's 3-2 loss to the Stars. Whitney assisted on Bobby Ryan's third period goal. He had no points and a plus-1 rating in his first three games since being acquired in a trade from Pittsburgh.
Analysis: Whitney has logged 20-plus minutes in each of his first four games with the Ducks and is at plus-3 after being at minus-15 in 28 games with the Penguins. It seems he could be in a better defensive situation with Anaheim, but he is definitely going to have to fight for his points with the likes of James Wisniewski, Chris Pronger and Scott Niedermayer on the blue line. Whitney is a solid puck-moving defenseman with high-end Fantasy potential, but is more of a low-end option until the points really come streaming in.
News: The Pittsburgh Penguins traded defenseman Ryan Whitney to the Anaheim Ducks for forward Chris Kunitz and a junior prospect, less than two seasons into a 6-year, $24 million contract that was supposed to make Whitney a key part of the Penguins' future. Whitney missed Wednesday's night's 1-0 win against the New York Islanders as the Penguins said he was in Boston attending to a family matter, but made his debut for the Ducks Thursday against the Bruins. He didn't have a point in 24:19 of ice time and finished at even.
Analysis: Whitney has struggled since missing the first 33 games of this season following foot surgery. He has two goals and 11 assists and is minus-15 in 28 games. Whitney appeared to be part of the Penguins' nucleus of young stars -- including Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Jordan Staal -- when he signed a new contract with the team in July 2007 after a breakthrough 2006-2007 season in which he had 14 goals and 45 assists. But Whitney's production dropped to 12 goals and 28 assists last season, plus a goal and five assists in the playoffs when the Penguins advanced to the Stanley Cup finals against Detroit. Whitney attributed the decline to skating problems caused by misaligned bones in his left foot. He had surgery to correct the problem in August, after various orthopedic inserts in his skates failed to remedy it. Whitney, 6-4, 215-pounds, averaged nearly 25 minutes a game this season, his fourth with the Penguins, who picked him fifth overall in the 2002 draft. He has 34 goals and 114 assists in 253 career games with the Penguins. The move to Anaheim is a lateral one since the Ducks are also in contention and have a solid stable of scoring threats in Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, Teemu Selanne and Bobby Ryan to name a few. Whitney is a solid puck-moving defenseman with high-end Fantasy potential.
News: The Penguins were without D Ryan Whitney for Wednesday's game against the Islanders, who left the team for personal reasons but is expected back Friday at Chicago.
Analysis: Whitney has been assisting nicely since his return from a foot injury, but the goals have been hard to come by. He remains a decent start in most Fantasy formats and hopefully he'll find his scoring touch soon. He should be good to go Friday and can be started in daily leagues.
News: Penguins D Ryan Whitney scored his first goal in over a month Monday as Pittsburgh fell 3-2 in a shootout to the Islanders.
Analysis: Whitney has been assisting nicely since his return from a foot injury, but the goals have been hard to come by. He remains a decent start in most Fantasy formats and hopefully he'll find his scoring touch soon.
News: Pittsburgh D Ryan Whitney had two assists to increase his season total to seven assists in a 6-2 victory over the Rangers on Wednesday. Whitney has at least a point in four of his last five games and this is his second multi-point game since making his season debut in late January.
Analysis: Whitney came back somewhat early from a foot injury and tried to help infuse the lagging Penguins defense. He hadn't really succeeded in that goal, but did help the Penguins to their best game since Whitney's return. He remains a high-end option who should be getting active in more and more leagues as he gets more games under his belt.
News: Penguins D Ryan Whitney tallied an assist and plus-1 rating in 29:39 of ice time Friday against the Ducks. He now has two points in his last two games after scoring his first goal Wednesday against the Capitals.
Analysis: Whitney came back a little early from a foot injury to try and help a struggling Penguins' offense, but he hasn't provided much spark. Let's not forget that Whitney does need a grace period for conditioning since he missed the preseason. He is a better offensive player than he has shown, but maybe he shouldn't be considered a high-end Fantasy defenseman until he is back on track.
News: Penguins D Ryan Whitney has still not scored a goal this season since being activated off IR Dec. 23. Whitney, who missed the first few months of the season following foot surgery, has just three assists in 10 games and an ugly minus-9 rating. He is 0-for-18 on shot attempts.
Analysis: Whitney came back a little early to try and help a struggling Penguins' offense, but he hasn't provided much spark. Let's not forget that Whitney does need a grace period for conditioning since he missed the preseason. He is a better offensive player than he has shown, but maybe he shouldn't be considered a high-end Fantasy defenseman until he is back on track.
News:The Sports Xchange reports Penguins D Ryan Whitney played games on consecutive nights Friday and Saturday for the first time this season -- and he was happy to report only limited soreness in his left foot. Whitney has played three games after missing the Penguins' first 33 due to recovery from his left foot surgery in August. He recorded his first point of the season Saturday against Montreal, an assist.
Analysis: The fact Whitney is starting to play on consecutive nights means he is getting closer to returning to his former self. Pittsburgh needs some help on the power play, so Whitney could be racking up the points shortly. He has high-end Fantasy potential when healthy.
News: Penguins D Ryan Whitney picked up his first point since his return from a foot injury when he assisted in Saturday's loss to the Canadiens.
Analysis: Whitney is a solid offensive player from the blue line and a high-end Fantasy option when healthy. Make sure you get him active in all formats.
News: Penguins D Ryan Whitney will return to action Tuesday against the Lightning. He has been out since mid-August after foot surgery.
Analysis: Whitney is a solid offensive player from the blue line and a high-end Fantasy option when healthy. Hopefully you heeded our advice and started in Fantasy Week 12 (Dec. 22-28). If not, make sure you get him in there for the following period.
News: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that Penguins D Ryan Whitney (foot) could return to action on Dec. 23 against Tampa Bay. "It's getting there," Whitney said. "I'm hoping pretty soon, probably not Atlanta (Dec. 18), but I'm hoping soon after. I'd like to be in before Christmas. That was the goal the whole time."
Analysis: Whitney is a solid offensive player from the blue line and a high-end Fantasy option when healthy. It looks like he could be worth starting in Fantasy Week 12 (Dec. 22-28), so keep close tabs on his progress over the next few days.
News:The Sports Xchange reports Penguins D Ryan Whitney will likely begin practicing in full contact drills this week (Dec. 8-14). Whitney has yet to play this season after undergoing surgery on his left foot in August. He has been involved in limited practice situations for the past couple of weeks.
Analysis: This is the last step for Whitney before making his return to the lineup. It's not sure how many practices Whitney will need before being activated, but he is close to returning. Keep him reserved for Week 10 (Dec. 8-14), but keep tabs on his progress leading up to Week 11 (Dec. 15-21). Whitney is a solid offensive player from the blue line and a high-end Fantasy option when healthy.
News:The Sports Xchange reports Penguins D Ryan Whitney wrapped his first full week of practice, but said his status "doesn't change on a day-to-day basis." "It's kind of week to week," said Whitney, who has yet to play this season. He underwent corrective surgery on his left foot in August. "Once you get a day off, usually it feels better the next day."
Analysis: Whitney returned to practice Nov. 21 but is not yet participating in full-contact drills. That should come fairly soon, though. "Hopefully at the end of the road trip this week, I'll be doing everything in practice," Whitney said. Whitney had 40 points last season and 59 the year before. He is a must-start Fantasy defenseman when healthy, so start stashing him in Fantasy leagues. He might be back by mid-to-late December.
News: NHL.com reports Penguins defenseman Ryan Whitney practiced with his teammates Friday for the first time since undergoing foot surgery in August. "It's just nice to feel kind of normal again," Whitney said. "There's plenty of rust. Handling the puck is something that tough to do after you haven't done it for five or six months. It's good to be passing the puck with guys. You can only do so much when you're out there alone. Giving hard passes, taking hard passes, that gets you back into it." Practicing is the latest step in Whitney's recovery. He has been skating on his own for the past month, but he is still just in the early stages of the rehab process. "I won't be practicing the full (session)," Whitney said. "I don't think I'm ready for the physical stuff –- the one-on-ones and things like that -– but just getting back into the timing of passing the puck at this speed and those types of things. It's to start passing to guys, shooting the puck and getting flow. You have to get your timing back down. When you're out there by yourself there's no timing."
Analysis: The fact Whitney is back on the ice is inspiring, but with the recent acquisition of defenseman Philippe Boucher, it seems Pittsburgh is willing to be patient with Whitney. "I haven't set a return game or return date," Whitney said. "In my head, I had Christmas and right around then. Hopefully it's a little before that but I don't want to get my hopes up and have it be after. It's something I just have to stay with it. You have to have solid practices and feel real good in practice before you even think about playing. Once I’m practicing full time, in two to three weeks I should be ready to play a game. You should really have your timing back and have solid practices before you're playing again." Whitney had 40 points last season and 59 the year before. He is a must-start Fantasy defenseman when healthy, so start stashing him in Fantasy leagues.
News: Penguins D Ryan Whitney told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Thursday that he could start practicing in "a week or two." Whitney has not played this season after undergoing off-season surgery on his left foot to correct a deformity. He expects to return to the lineup in December.
Analysis: Without Whitney and Sergei Gonchar (shoulder) on the blue line, the Penguins haven't had a consistent offensive effort in 2008-09. Whitney and Gonchar are two of the best passers in the NHL and really make the Penguins offense move when healthy. Whitney had 40 points last season and 59 the year before. He is a must-start Fantasy defenseman when healthy, so start stashing him in Fantasy leagues.
News: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Penguins D Ryan Whitney, who is recovering from foot surgery, started skating last week and said he expects to resume playing in late December or early January.
Analysis: Whitney struggled in 2007-08 because of the foot injury, but still managed to post a respectable 40 points. Whitney has potential to be a No. 2 Fantasy defenseman when healthy, but could miss half the season.
News: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports Penguins D Ryan Whitney is off crutches and is wearing a walking boot as he continues to recover from August foot surgery. "It's coming along well," Whitney said of his left foot, which was surgically repaired Aug. 15. "I saw the doctor (last week), and he said the X-rays look fantastic and the scars are healing nicely. I see him again in 2 1/2 weeks. Then you can really start strengthening it and do more weight-bearing exercises."
Analysis: Whitney is hoping after his next doctor's visit that he will have a better idea of when he can start skating and possibly target a return date. He is expected to be out at least until mid-November and perhaps until January. Whitney struggled in 2007-08 because of the foot injury, but still managed to post a respectable 40 points. Whitney has potential to be a No. 2 Fantasy defenseman when healthy, but since he could miss half the season, he is nothing more than a draft and stash player.
News: Penguins defenseman Ryan Whitney will be out 3-5 months following surgery to correct a chronic problem with his left foot. The team didn't describe the nature of the problem in a statement released Saturday. Whitney told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review his left foot is misaligned and that attempts to correct it with orthopedic inserts in his skates didn't work. "I just couldn't live on one healthy foot anymore, let alone try to skate," Whitney said. "We've tried everything to avoid surgery because we knew it would mean missing a chunk of the season, but nothing worked." Dr. Robert Anderson operated Friday in Charlotte, N.C. The newspaper described the surgery as an osteotomy, defined as a procedure to shorten, lengthen or realign a bone or bones. "Ryan has been bothered by this condition in his foot for some time," general manager Ray Shero said in a statement. "He consulted with a number of specialists in an effort to correct the problem without surgery, but it was ultimately determined that surgery was the best path to take - for his general well-being and for his career."
Analysis: Whitney is entering the second year of a $24 million, six-year deal. Whitney signed the contract after a breakthrough season in 2006-07 when he had 14 goals and 45 assists. His production dropped to 12 goals and 28 assists last season, and he added a goal and five assists in the playoffs when the Penguins advanced to the Stanley Cup finals. Whitney said his teammates knew his foot was in bad shape last season, but he doesn't consider it an excuse for his performance. "I need to perform better than I did and I know that is the expectation," Whitney said. "But I've always thought skating was the biggest part of my game, and last season I couldn't skate like I can." This is devastating news for Fantasy owners since Whitney was at worst a No. 2 Fantasy defenseman. Since he will miss a good chunk of the early season, consider Whitney nothing more than a late-round, injury-risk sleeper.
News:Ryan Whitney got an assist on Evgeni Malkin's second goal Saturday to help the Penguins beat the Kings 4-2. Whitney has four points in two games after being singled out by coach Michel Therrien for his poor play during a 4-3 overtime loss Monday at New Jersey.
Analysis: Fantasy owners have been somewhat disappointed with Whitney this season after he posted 45 assists in 2006-07. He has just 17 assists to this point of the season, but still has Fantasy value as a No. 2 or No. 3 Fantasy defenseman.
News: Penguins D Ryan Whitney tallied an assist and finished at even during Monday's game against the Capitals. He also spent two minutes in the penalty box for hooking and now has two assists in his last five games.
Analysis: Fantasy owners have been somewhat disappointed with Whitney this season after he posted 45 assists in 2006-07. He has 14 in 44 games and will need one heck of a second half to get close to last year's totals. He still has Fantasy value, but has dipped to a No. 2 or No. 3 Fantasy defenseman.
News: Penguins D Ryan Whitney tallied an assist and finished at plus-1 during Thursday's game against the Maple Leafs. He now has three assists and a plus-3 rating in his last seven games.
Analysis: Fantasy owners have been somewhat disappointed with Whitney this season after he posted 45 assists. He has 11 in 36 games and will need one heck of a second half to get close to last year's totals. He still has Fantasy value, but has dipped to a No. 2 or No. 3 Fantasy defenseman.
News: Penguins D Ray Whitney made it 2-0 at 6:35 into the first period of Saturday's 3-2 win against the Islanders. After hitting the left post 10 seconds earlier, Whitney got the puck in the right circle and sent a wrist shot between the pads of a screened Rick DiPietro. It was his third goal in six games and seventh this season.
Analysis: Whitney has all of a sudden has found his scoring touch after recovering from a groin injury that hurt his production in November. He is at just eight assists after totaling more than 30 in his first two seasons, but should get going soon. Continue to view him as a high-end Fantasy option.
News: Penguins D Ryan Whitney scored on a slap shot five minutes into the third period during Saturday's 5-0 win against the Thrashers. It was his fourth goal and first since Oct. 27.
Analysis: Whitney has had a tough November because of a groin injury and the points have been sparse. As soon as he gets to 100 percent, expect the points to come in at a more favorable rate. He still remains a high-end Fantasy option based on potential.
News: Penguins D Ryan Whitney returned to the lineup Saturday against the Flyers after missing the previous four games with a groin injury. Whitney assisted on two goals and finished with an even rating in 22:20 of ice time. He also spent two minutes in the penalty box because of a too many men on the ice call.
Analysis: Whitney tallied 38 points as a rookie in 2005-06. He returned the next season to total 59 points, including 45 assists. He has eight points, including five assists, in 13 games and looks headed for another fine season. He is a must-start Fantasy option when healthy. It appears safe to activate him for Fantasy Week 7 (Nov. 12-18).
News: Defenseman Ryan Whitney is expected to play Saturday at Philadelphia after sitting out four games with a groin injury.
Analysis: Whitney has put together two solid seasons in the NHL and appears headed for another impressive season barring serious injury. He is a must-start Fantasy option when healthy. He remains day to day.
News: Penguins D Ryan Whitney (groin) did not play Thursday against the Rangers. He has now missed four straight games after injuring himself against Colorado on Nov. 1. Whitney participated in the pre-game skate Wednesday against the Flyers and expected to action Thursday, but it did not happen.
Analysis: Whitney has three goals, three assists and a minus-3 rating in 12 games. Whitney has put together two solid seasons in the NHL and appears headed for another impressive season barring serious injury. He is a must-start Fantasy option when healthy. He remains day to day.
News: D Ryan Whitney is still nursing a groin injury, but was on the ice for the pre-game skate Wednesday and expects to play Thursday against the Rangers.
Analysis: Whitney has three goals, three assists and a minus-3 rating in 12 games. Whitney has put together two solid seasons in the NHL and appears headed for another impressive season barring serious injury. He is a must-start Fantasy option when healthy. He remains day to day.
News: Penguins D Ryan Whitney (groin) did not play Wednesday against the Flyers. He has now missed three straight games after injuring himself against Colorado on Nov. 1.
Analysis: Whitney has three goals, three assists and a minus-3 rating in 12 games. Whitney has put together two solid seasons in the NHL and appears headed for another impressive season barring serious injury. He is a must-start Fantasy option when healthy. He remains day to day.
News: Devils D Karel Rachunek missed his fourth straight game with a groin injury Monday. The Penguins scratches were D Ryan Whitney (groin), C Colby Armstrong and Jarkko Ruutu.
Analysis: Consider Whitney an injury-risk option for now, although barring any setbacks, he should return during soon.
News:The Sports Xchange reports Penguins defenseman Ryan Whitney did not play due to a groin injury Saturday against the Islanders. Whitney was injured early in the second period of the Penguins' loss in Colorado on Thursday. Whitney identified the game against the Flyers on Wednesday as a likely return, meaning he would miss the Penguins' game in New Jersey on Monday.
Analysis: Whitney has three goals, three assists and a minus-3 rating in 12 games. Whitney has put together two solid seasons in the NHL and appears headed for another impressive season barring serious injury. He is a must-start Fantasy option when healthy. Consider him an injury-risk option for Fantasy Week 6 (Nov. 5-11). although barring any setbacks, he should return during the upcoming scoring period.
News: Penguins D Ryan Whitney (groin) did not return to action Saturday against the Islanders. It was the first game he missed since leaving Thursday's contest against the Avalanche.
Analysis: The Penguins haven't divulged the severity of the injury yet, so Whitney remains day-to-day at this juncture. He has three goals, three assists and a minus-3 rating in 12 games. Whitney has put together two solid seasons in the NHL and appears headed for another impressive season barring serious injury. He is a must-start Fantasy option when healthy. Consider him an injury-risk option for Fantasy Week 6 (Nov. 5-11).
News: Penguins D Ryan Whitney was held out of the third period Thursday against the Avalanche after injuring his groin. He did not record a point in 12:09 of ice time and finished with a minus-1 rating.
Analysis: The Penguins haven't divulged the severity of the injury yet, so Whitney remains day-to-day at this juncture. He has three goals, three assists and a minus-3 rating in 12 games. Whitney has put together two solid seasons in the NHL and appears headed for another impressive season barring serious injury. He is a must-start Fantasy option when healthy.
News: Evgeni Malkin scored a power play goal in Tuesday's game against the Rangers and that goal stood up, as the Penguins earned a hard-fought 1-0 win. Sidney Crosby and Ryan Whitney chipped in with assists on the game-winner. "He [Whitney] made a great heads-up play to read that and get that puck to him quick," Crosby said. "He [Malkin] was strong in front of the net, he had a guy on him and he found a way to get a stick on it. Those are the kind of goals you need."
Analysis: Crosby, Malkin and Whitney are all must-starts in any Fantasy format. The Penguins will be back on the ice against he Maple Leafs on Thursday night. Whitney was scoreless with a minus-2 rating in a game on Oct. 13 at Toronto, so he'll be looking to redeem himself against the Leafs.
News: Mark Recchi had two assists and Ryan Whitney and Maxime Talbot scored in Wednesday's game against Montreal, but they were the only players to beat prospect Carey Price. "The kid played pretty well, obviously made some big saves," Whitney said. "He won the game for them."
Analysis: The stellar second-year defenseman had gone scoreless in his first two games, so the goal is a relief for his nervous Fantasy owners. He remains a must-start in all leagues despite the slow start. The Penguins will be in action on Saturday night in Toronto.
News: Ryan Whitney, who is making his way back from surgery on his left wrist, has managed just on assist through two preseason games. However, he leads all Penguins with a tremendous plus-4 rating.
Analysis: That's what Fantasy owners want to see. His plus/minus rating was about the only thing owners could beef about in 2006-07, as he had just a plus-9 rating. That's still not all that bad. However, if he could bump it up to a plus-15 or 20, that would make him that much more potent from a Fantasy perspective.
News: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports Ryan Whitney (wrist) is ready for training camp and feels 100 percent ready after suffering an injury to his left wrist which caused him to undergo surgery in late April. "Basically, it is 100 percent ready to go," Whitney said.
Analysis: Whitney had a tremendous season in 2006-07, posting 14 goals and 59 points in 81 games. He was one of several young players who were instrumental in the return to the playoffs for the Penguins. He has emerged as one of the top young offensive threats from the blueline and is a must-have in the early rounds on Draft Day heading into the 2007-08 season.
News: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports Ryan Whitney is recovering from surgery on his left wrist, performed last Thursday. He is expected to require six to eight weeks of rehab and is likely to be ready for the start of training camp in September.
Analysis: Whitney was tremendous in 2006-07, breaking out with 14 goals and 59 points in 81 games. He was tied for sixth among NHL defensemen and emerged as a must-have in all keeper Fantasy leagues.
News: Ryan Whitney (groin) was back in the lineup for Thursday's game at Ottawa. He picked up an assist and plus-1 rating in 20:35 of ice time.
Analysis: It appears safe to get Whitney back into the active Fantasy lineup in all daily leagues for Saturday's regular season finale against the Rangers.
News: Penguins D Ryan Whitney (groin) missed a game for the first time this season, sitting against the Sabres. "It's better to be safe than sorry," Whitney told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "I don't want to come into the playoffs on one skate."
Analysis: Whitney is considered day to day. There is no word on the severity of the injury, but he is likely just being held out as a precaution to get him 100 percent for the playoffs since the Penguins already have a playoff berth sewn up.
News: The Pittsburgh Penguins received two second-period goals from D Ryan Whitney in Tuesday's playoff-clinching win at Washington. It was Whitney's second two-goal game of the season. "It's pretty exciting to get in the playoffs. That's been our goal all season," Whitney said. "Just to know we would be playing in April, that's one of our goals and we reached it (Tuesday)."
Analysis: Whitney also chipped in with a plus-1 rating in 21:11 of ice time. Whitney has amassed three goals, 10 points and a plus-5 rating over the past 10 games. He is producing at a point-per-game clip for his Fantasy owners, so that has to have them smiling ear-to-ear during this crucial point of the season.
News: Ryan Whitney has posted seven goals and 24 assists with a plus-3 rating and 45 penalty minutes through 46 games at the All-Star break.
Analysis: Whitney also scored a goal in Tuesday's YoungStars Game in Dallas. He has emerged as a must-start in all Fantasy leagues, especially in formats which reward PIM.
News: Penguins D Ryan Whitney has scored power play goals in three of his last four games, including Friday's game, and is a reason why the Penguins are clicking at a 30.8 percent (8-for-26) clip over that span.
Analysis: Whitney has upped his goal total to seven and also had 18 assists on the season. He is a solid Fantasy option at the time.
News: Ryan Whitney picked up a goal and plus-1 rating in 20:24 of ice time in Tuesday's game against the Hurricanes.
Analysis: Whitney has managed two goals and an assist in the past three games after posting just three goals in the first 35 games. He is still a solid assist man and remains worth using as a No. 4 or 5 Fantasy defenseman in most leagues.
News: Ryan Whitney was scoreless with a minus-1 rating in a team-high 26:19 of ice time in Monday's overtime loss at Anaheim.
Analysis: Whitney has not scored a goal in nine games, but he still eight assists over the past eight games. He remains a solid defenseman Fantasy option in most leagues.
News: Whitney will look to extend his point streak to six games on Wednesday at Los Angeles. He has managed no goals and eight assists over the past five games with a plus-1 rating.
Analysis: If Whitney is still available in your Fantasy league, jump on him immediately. He is getting a lot of point chances with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and the young Pens lighting it up early on.
News: Ryan Whitney had a pair of assists with a plus-1 rating in 21:14 of ice time in Tuesday's game against the Devils.
Analysis: Whitney has a four-game points streak (6 A) and he has eight points (2 G, 6 A) overall. He is a solid No. 5 or 6 Fantasy defenseman in any format right now.
News: Whitney was scoreless in Thursday's regular season opener against the Flyers with two shots on goal, but he posted a sparkling plus-3 rating in the 4-0 win.
Analysis: Whitney accomplished the plus-3 just twice last season and was plus-2 or better in just five games a season ago. Perhaps the Penguins are turning the corner?
News: Ryan Whitney posted two assists in Sunday's game at New Jersey, ending a four-game scoreless streak.
Analysis: Whitney now has 29 points (3 G, 26 A) in 60 games. Whitney is a decent keeper prospect in larger Fantasy leagues, especially if your league does not count plus/minus rating.
News: Ryan Whitney (neck) was able to play Friday vs. the N.Y. Islanders. He finished the game with a minus-1 rating.
Analysis: Whitney, who recorded 27 points prior to the injury, came back to replace suspended defenseman Eric Cairns. He appears healthy enough to activate in deeper leagues.
News: Whitney (neck) missed his second consecutive game in Tuesday's game at Ottawa.
Analysis: Whitney remains day to day. Keep him reserved in all Fantasy leagues until he can officially return and prove his health.
News: Whitney was a late scratch for Sunday's game against the Maple Leafs due to a strained neck.
Analysis: Whitney is considered day to day. Keep him reserved in all larger Fantasy leagues for the upcoming scoring period if you have healthier alternatives.
News: Whitney is sitting on one goal, 17 assists and a minus-14 rating through 47 games at the Olympic break.
Analysis: The rookie is doing a decent job on defense, but his abysmal plus/minus rating makes him only worth a look in larger Fantasy leagues for when play resumes.
News: Ryan Whitney had an assist and plus-1 rating in Wednesday's game against Washington, but he also racked up 20 penalty minutes after a five-minute major for spearing Alexander Ovechkin, a five-minute fighting major courtest of Brian Willsie and a game misconduct.
Analysis: Whitney might get getting a call from the league office about the spearing incident, so monitor this closely in daily leagues. A suspension might be coming his way shortly.
News: Whitney was scoreless in Tuesday's game at St. Louis with a minus-1 rating in 18:38 of ice time.
Analysis: After a hot start picking up seven assists in his first four games, Whitney has just four points (1 G, 3 A) over his past 16 games.
News: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports Whitney will likely be recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to replace Dick Tarnstrom (knee) on the active roster.
Analysis: Whitney is a decent Fantasy option in larger leagues if you need help along the blue line.
