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Whitney hoping for the best
By
Derek Van Diest, QMI Agency
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  Defenceman Ryan Whitney, who's been on the shelf since Dec. 22 with an ankle injury, is hoping to return to the Oilers blue-line either Monday at home or Tuesday in Vancouver. Codie McLachlan, Edmonton Sun
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EDMONTON - Ryan Whitney is ready to give it another go.
The Edmonton Oilers defenceman hopes to be in the lineup this week either Monday at home against the San Jose Sharks or Tuesday on the road in Vancouver.
“I feel bad, you feel for the guys that are out there losing,” said Whitney. “I don’t feel as great as I hoped I would, but I think I can still help at 80%. I’m going to do whatever I can.”
Whitney has not played since Dec. 22, bothered by an ankle he had surgically repaired last year.
He’s been limited to just 17 games on the season, collecting three assists.
“It’s not any better,” Whitney said. “I’ve tried taping it, and it’s helped a little bit. I’ll try one more time this year and hopefully I’ll last the rest of the year, if not, whenever the season ends or wherever I’m done, I’ll get some second and third opinions and go to the ends of the earth to figure out if I can fix it.”
Whitney had been skating on his own prior to joining the Oilers for practice Sunday. It wasn’t the best time to rejoin the squad, having to take a fitness test before practice then being put through the paces during it.
“I haven’t practiced in a month and then I just did that,” Whitney said. “I don’t feel great right now, but maybe in the morning I’ll feel better. I’m leaning towards coming back Tuesday but I could feel great in the morning (Monday) and get in there.
“But I had the fitness test then that practice, so I’m dying right now.”
derek.vandiest@sunmedia.ca
twitter.com/SUNdvandiest
