Sports
Arrow
Columnists
Arrow
Title - Oil Drop
Follow OurHometown.ca on... Follow Us on Facebook Follow Us on Twitter Follow us on RSS
Follow Me on TwitterRob Soria is the Edmonton Oilers' correspondent for OurHometown.ca. Rob was born and raised in Edmonton and is the author of the Edmonton Oilers blog - OilDrop.ca. He has been a dedicated follower of the game and its history for years but his focus remains on his hometown Edmonton Oilers. If you have questions or wish to contact Rob, you can email him at rsoria@ourhometown.ca
Can Ryan Whitney get healthy?
Rob Soria
OurHometown.ca

Oil Drop
Can Ryan Whitney get healthy?
With Ryan Whitney once again on the sidelines, the time has come for the Edmonton Oilers to seriously contemplate what their next move should be with the talented defenceman. There is no question this team badly needs a healthy Whitney in their lineup but that likely won't happen until next season.
PHOTO CREDIT - EdmontonOilers.com

Edmonton - December 28, 2011 - With Ryan Whitney once again on the sidelines, the time has come for the Edmonton Oilers to seriously contemplate what their next move should be with the talented defenceman. There is no question this team badly needs a healthy Whitney in their lineup but that likely won't happen until next season. As poor as the former Pittsburgh Penguin has played this year, he still remains the teams third or fourth best option on the blueline...which says a lot about the current state of the Oilers defence.

It's clear watching Whitney that he is not comfortable and in recent weeks, he has said his ankle still feels weak and he is playing in constant pain. Not exactly good signs and with his most recent trip to the sidelines, one has to wonder if shutting him down until he feels100% healthy, may not be best for both the player and team. Watch the video below, from yesterday's off day, and you tell me how happy Whitney looks?

The guy plays a major role in how successful this team can be and you can tell his current level of play is killing him. He doesn't feel right and to make matters worse, he has no idea when he will feel better. Whitney has been assured that everything will eventually return to normal but no one can tell him how long that will take. That can't be easy on any player and for a player as good as Ryan Whitney, settling for mediocrity is not an option.

He knows what he is capable of doing out on that ice and that he is a difference maker. That being said, by continually pushing yourself when you are not physically able to perform to your usual standard, accomplishes exactly what? Not sure if this is happening because of the stubbornness of the player, the organization or a bit of both but I do know it needs to stop and immediately.

It sucks for Edmonton that they have basically played without their top defender for exactly one calender year worth of games but the situation is what it is. This management team is fully aware that quality defencemen don't grow on trees and by allowing such a player to continue to play, when he clearly needs more time to heal, is something this team can ill afford to do. Having Ryan Whitney ready to go, come 2012-2013, must become a top priority for the Edmonton Oilers and the best way to accomplish that, is by shutting him down. If he needs another eight months to ensure he will be healthy and ready to play to his full capacity, then it is a sacrifice this organization must make.


Follow OurHometown.ca on... Follow Us on Facebook Follow Us on Twitter Follow us on RSS Follow Us with E-Mail Updates!
Send Us Your Thoughts


Title - Story Count
8,402 Stories & Growing Daily...

To date OurHometown.ca has posted a total of 8,402 stories! News, sports, hockey, lifestyle, opinion and more!

Be sure to check out our Contributors and Columnists archives!


Title - More OH Headlines
Click on Photo or Story Title for more info
Detroit Grand Prix Canceled for 2020
Team Canada will not send athletes to Games in summer 2020 due to COVID-19 risks
NBA to suspend season following Wednesday
Lyn St. James to Race in Historic Trans-Am Series at the 2020 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix
2019 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear Fast Facts
OurHometown.ca News Database Last Updated:
Jan. 28, 2024 @ 1:06 PM EST




Footer
Free Sitemap Generator