Would Ryan Whitney be a fit in Ottawa with Karlsson out?

February 15, 2013   Edmonton Oilers, Ottawa Senators, Trade Rumors     1 Comment

Has Edmonton Oilers’ GM Steve Tambellini called Murray on Ryan Whitney?

Probably.

We don’t know if Whitney will be a healthy scratch for a fourth time in the last seven games when Colorado Avalanche are here Saturday night, but if Whitney is in the lineup, how long will he be in the lineup? Right now he’s in rotation mode with Corey Potter and Mark Fistric. He has to win back the trust of the coaching staff or he’ll get traded.

He’s gone from the dazzling high of his early Oiler days when he had 38 points in 54 games and was plus 20 after his trade from Anaheim in March of 2010 until he wrecked a tendon in his ankle right after Christmas that year, to his situation now where you’re asking every day “is Whitney in or out?”

Murray says he’s not waving the white flag on the season. He still wants to make the playoffs. He’s not giving away a first-round draft pick or a high-end prospect for a defenceman, but he does need help, and right now. There aren’t a lot of teams carrying extra D-men of Whitney’s pedigree.  And Ottawa does need an offensive D-man if they’re losing Karlsson. I’m sure the Habs would move Tomas Kaberle now that P.K. Subban is back.  Washington’s not playing UFA Roman Hamrlik but he’s 38.  Mike Komisarek in Toronto is a defensive D-man.  Tampa’s got Marc-Andre Bergeron, a shooter from the back-end. Nashville would give up Jonathan Blum, younger than the rest but with blemishes.

http://blogs.edmontonjournal.com/


One Response to Would Ryan Whitney be a fit in Ottawa with Karlsson out?

  1. Steven_Leafs0 says:
    February 15, 2013 at 11:30 am

    Ryan Whitney
    Eric Belanger
    conditional 2014 3rd round pick

    for:

    Jim O’Brien
    2013 2nd round pick

    The sens get an upgrade at center (albeit an older – no potential rental) and Whitney (a d-man they DESPERATELY need right now) for a young centerman that has a long shot (really long IMO) of being the big 2nd line center Edmonton is looking for in the future and a solid draft choice.

    The conditional pick is if Whitney refuses to sign. I think a 3rd is the perfect choice since most teams (including Edmonton right now) would rather have a top 60 pick over Whitney’s contract.

    I think while Edmonton does rip off Ottawa in the long run, this is a deal the Sens can and need to make as a D-man like Whitney is not going to be made available for at least another month.

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