Music: {allcanada} OILERS' WHITNEY SEEKS FRESH START

Monday, April 29, 2013

{allcanada} OILERS' WHITNEY SEEKS FRESH START

The Edmonton Sun asserts Ryan Whitney will not be back on the Edmonton Oilers blue line next season. The veteran defenceman, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, feels it's probably in his best interest to get a fresh start. The Oilers seem to be in mutual agreement.

"They had their minds already made up at the start of the season," Whitney said. "I got here and in my meeting with Ralph (Krueger), I was told I was going on the bottom pair.

"I would never mention players names, but there are definitely other guys that could have been scratched instead of me. I was frustrated that I wasn't even playing. I went through a lot and it was a tough way to end."

Whitney admits he may never be the same player he was before his ankle injury, but believes he still has plenty to offer and it was difficult to help the Oilers from the pressbox.

"I think I can still play, I've proven that I can," Whitney said. "Obviously there were some games where I didn't play well, but there were a stretch of games where I thought I did play well. It's been a tough couple of years here, I'm just kind of looking forward to a fresh start."