Sharks mailbag: Return of Ray Whitney?
The rumors are already out there that Whitney could be in play, and the 41-year-old would be the dictionary definition of a rental player. A quick check of the stats says that Whitney has six goals and 14 assists for 20 points in 43 games with the Dallas Stars this season, but lately he hasn’t played among the top six. He’s in the second and final year of a two-year, $9 million deal.
If the Sharks are looking for a left wing to perhaps play alongside Thornton and Burns, they could certainly do worse than the guy who started his NHL career with San Jose way back in 1991-92. No, he’s not the fastest or the biggest guy. But, neither is Joe Pavelski. The two players are somewhat similar in that their hockey sense is off the charts, and even though Whitney is at a more advanced age, I bet he would fit in nicely on that Thornton-Burns line, allowing Pavelski to go back to the third line. And, the Sharks wouldn’t have to send a huge ransom to Dallas to get him (although they might have to clear some cap space). Maybe one of those second round picks they have in the 2014 draft could be utilized in a deal.
The Sharks brought back one former player at the deadline last year in defenseman Scott Hannan, who proved to be a cheap, valuable addition. Maybe they go that route again.
http://www.csnbayarea.com/sharks/sharks-mailbag-return-ray-whitney