Mar 30: Whitney grabbed a goal and an assist in Friday's win over Minnesota, giving him four points over the last four games. Despite missing some time this season due to injury, Whitney has been playing close to a point-per-game. His name is being bandied about in trade rumors, but that is nothing new for the Wizard. When he is in the lineup, he's producing.

Mar 21: Whitney (upper body) played 17:05 and was plus-1 with his fifth goal of the season in Thursday's win over the Kings. Although he's been limited to 14 games due to injuries, Whitney has delivered 12 points and a plus-4 rating for the season. Keep on rolling him, as the Stars are giving him heavy minutes at even strength and with the man advantage.

Mar 21: Whitney (upper body) will be a game-time decision for Thursday's game against the Kings, Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News reports. With the uncertainty pertaining to Whitney's status for Thursday's game, the Stars recalled Alex Chiasson to give the team added depth up front.

Mar 21: Whitney left Wednesday's game against the Avs in the third period with an upper body injury, starsinsideedge.com reports. Coach Glen Gulutzan didn't have an update on Whitney's status right away, so we'll consider the forward day-to-day for now.

Mar 19: Whitney had a pair of assists and was plus-2 in the Stars' win over Calgary on Monday night. After being held off the score sheet in his return from a foot injury last week, Whitney has piled up four points over the last three games (1 G, 3 A). Monday night, he was placed on a line with Erik Cole and Jamie Benn.

Mar 13: Whitney (foot) played 20:02 in his first game back after missing 16 games with a broken foot. He got three shots on net but was shut out along with the rest of his team Tuesday night. Whitney helped create the Stars' best scoring chance, but teammate Trevor Daley came up short on the shot.

Mar 12: Whitney (foot) will play Tuesday against the Predators, starsinsideedge.com reports. Whitney, who will return to action after missing 16 games with a broken foot, is expected to play on a line centered by Derek Roy along with Erik Cole, who he played with while the two were in Carolina.

Mar 11: Whitney (foot) practiced Monday, starsinsideedge.com reports. Whitney hasn't played since February 1, but will meet with a doctor Monday to determine whether or not he is ready to return. He could be in the lineup Tuesday against the Predators.

Mar 7: Coach Glen Gulutzan says that Whitney (foot) could play as soon as Tuesday against Nashville, Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News reports. Gulutzan noted that the Stars will be cautious with Whitney, but on the plus side, it appears as though the forward is inching toward his first game action since February 1.

Mar 5: Whitney (foot) was on the ice for the first part of practice on Tuesday, starsinsideedge.com reports. Whitney has not played since breaking his foot February 2. Coach Glen Gulutzan stated, "He is still a little ways away." It is uncertain when he will return.

Feb 27: Whitney (foot) skated Wednesday but remains without a firm return date, the Dallas Morning News reports. Whitney, who is recovering from a broken foot, doesn't consider himself day-to-day, so he'll likely need at least a week longer to get fully healthy. Upon returning, he should provide a big boost to the Stars coming off a season in which he charted 77 points.

Feb 18: Whitney (foot) could begin skating within the next couple of days, Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News reports. Whitney is still over two weeks away from returning to action, but is getting closer as he will resume skating shortly. Whitney started the season totaling six points in his first eight games, leading the team.

Feb 2: Whitney has a broken foot and is expected to miss four-to-six weeks, Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News reports. We already knew Whitney was headed to injured reserve with a lower body injury, and now there's a loose timetable for his return. Through eight games, Whitney leads the Stars with six points.

Feb 2: Whitney has been placed on injured reserve due to a lower body injury. Whitney saw over 20 minutes of ice time Friday night and notched an assist, but apparently he also suffered an injury at some point during or after the game. He was previously dealing with a minor foot injury and may have aggravated that Friday night. The Stars have recalled Reilly Smith from the AHL to take Whitney's place while he's out for a minimum of seven days.

Jan 28: Whitney has a point in his last three games and five for his season total. There has been no sign of the 40-year-old slowing down from his 77 point season last year. Whitney even seen time on the power-play, where three of his five points occurred.

Jul 1: Whitney has signed a two-year, $9.0 million contract with Dallas, reports TSN.ca. Wow -- the 40-year-old is coming off a 77-point season in the desert (and a second All-Star Team nod, too). As a note, the 77 points was his second-highest season in the NHL. He'll be a top-six winger in Dallas and could line up with Jamie Benn or Loui Eriksson. Great fantasy results should appear.

May 29: Whitney (back) finished the 2011-12 season with 24 goals, 53 assists, and a plus-26 rating while averaging 18:39 of ice time across 82 games. By all accounts, Whitney had a great season in the desert, posting his best points-output since 2006-07 in Carolina. Even more, Whitney knows it, as he told FOX Arizona's Craig Morgan he's ready to be compensated accordingly: "I feel like I've performed well enough for the last five years to warrant a contract that's deserving." With GM Don Maloney's strategy of not overpaying, it wouldn't be much of a shock to see Whitney walk, even if the Coyotes end up with legitimate ownership.

May 24: Whitney suffered from back problems throughout the postseason, Craig Morgan of FOX Arizona reports. Whitney's injury explains his limited production in the postseason. The only time the team's prime line of Whitney-Vrbata-Hanzal ever got going was in Game 5 against the Kings. An unrestricted free agent this offseason, Whitney's return to the desert is, at this point, a question mark.

Apr 28: Whitney scored the game winning goal at the 14:04 mark of overtime to help Phoenix down Nashville 4-3 on Friday in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals. He also added a power-play assist on the Coyotes' first goal of the game and was named the game's first star. Through eight playoff games, Whitney has two goals, three assists, and is a plus-1.

Mar 31: Whitney had a goal and an assist in the Coyotes 4-0 blanking of Anaheim on Saturday. Both of Whitney's points came on the power play. The soon to be 40-year old winger is proving that he still has something left in the tank as the goal was his 24th of the season.

Mar 30: Whitney tallied two assists in the Coyotes' 2-0 win over San Jose on Thursday, giving him 999 career points. Whitney's season has been nothing short of spectacular as the 39-year-old winger will almost certainly crack the 1,000-point plateau even if the desert dogs miss out on the playoffs.

Mar 19: Whitney notched a goal, his first since March 5, to spark Phoenix's come-from-behind 3-2 shootout win in Edmonton on Sunday. Whitney's scoring has cooled off in the last few weeks, but he continues to ignite the Coyotes offense, tallying six assists in the team's last three games.

Mar 15: Whitney collected a trio of assists Wednesday night as Phoenix outlasted Vancouver 5-4. The 39-year-old winger quietly goes about his business and continues to put up strong fantasy numbers, with 65 points (21G, 44A) and a plus-25 rating through 71 games. He is having a quiet month of March though. Wednesday night's performance was his first multi-point game since February 23rd.

Mar 5: Whitney scored for the fifth time in the last six games, registering Phoenix's only goal in Monday's loss to Pittsburgh. The goal put him at the 60-point mark for the season. Whitney is showing little signs of slowing down, as you figure age has to catch up to him at some point this season. The ageless wonder has 60 points in 66 games and has been one of the league's hottest goal scorers the last 10 days.

Feb 28: Whitney scored the Coyotes' only goal of regulation during Tuesday's 2-1 shootout win. He also lit the lamp in the skills competition. Whitney has been an unbelievable catalyst for the Phoenix offense during the team's 11-0-1 stretch. Over his last 17 games, Whitney has been held off the scoresheet just twice and has goals in back-to-back contests.

Feb 25: Whitney scored what would prove to be the game-winner Saturday afternoon as the Coyotes downed the Oilers, 3-1. Whitney now has six points, including two goals, in his last five games, and 57 points in 61 games in 2011-12. Keep rolling with the surprising veteran.

Feb 17: Whitney assisted on Thursday night's lone goal as the Coyotes defeated the Kings, 1-0. Whitney set up Radim Vrbata's power-play score midway through the second period. It's certainly a good sign for the Coyotes that both Vrbata and Whitney got back on the scoresheet right after their points streaks snapped.

Feb 14: Whitney had his points streak snapped at eight games as he failed to register a point in the Coyotes' 2-1 shootout loss to the Canucks. The veteran still has 12 points over his last nine games, though only two of those lit the lamp. The Coyotes will need Whitney's offensive spark to return if they plan on continuing their playoff push.

Feb 12: Whitney's scoring streak has reached eight games; he assisted on linemate Radim Vrbata's early goal to help the Coyotes past Chicago on Saturday. Father Time seems to have overlooked Whitney this season. The veteran winger will turn 40 in May, but is scoring like a much younger man (16-35-51 in 56 games). Give some thought to dangling him in trade to see what materializes, especially if it looks like you're rebuilding this year.

Feb 8: A night after tallying two assists against Detroit, Whitney added two additional helpers in Phoenix's 4-1 win over Dallas. The Coyotes' offense is rolling and Whitney is a big part of the team's recent surge. He's now recorded seven points in his last four games.

Feb 6: Whitney added two assists in the Coyotes' 3-1 win over Detroit on Monday. Whitney now has back-to-back two-assist games and five points in his last three games.

Feb 1: Whitney scored the only game of the game for the Coyotes in a 4-1 loss to Anaheim on Tuesday. The Coyotes' offense struggled to get anything going Tuesday after Whitney got Phoenix off to a 1-0 lead early in the first period. Radim Vrbata and Martin Hanzal were credited with assists on the goal.

Jan 21: Whitney scored a power-play goal and added an even-strength assist in Saturday's loss to Tampa Bay. He has five points in his last four games and his 41 points (15 goals, 26 assists) lead the desert dawgs. Not bad for a guy who turns 40 in early May. He's an excellent fantasy play this season and should be used in all formats.

Jan 16: Whitney had two assists during Phoenix's 6-1 thumping of the Avalanche on Monday. Whitney continues his solid play this season, adding his 37th and 38th points through 46 games, though prior to Monday, he'd been held off the score sheet since notching an assist against the Islanders on Jan. 7.

Dec 29: Whitney scored the Coyotes' only goal of Wednesday's 2-1 overtime loss to the Bruins. Whitney has five points in his last five games (3G, 2A) and has provided a much needed offensive spark for the Coyotes. The goal marked his 13th score and 33rd point of the season through 37 games.

Dec 22: Whitney fired home his 12th goal of the season Wednesday night as Phoenix defeated Carolina 4-3. The goal came on the power play at the 2:18 mark of the first period which opened the scoring for both teams. He also added an assist in the victory and now has six points (2G, 4A) in his last four games. Whitney continues to defy the hockey gods at the age of 39 and is almost at a point-per-game pace this year.

Dec 20: Whitney factored into both of Phoenix's goals in Tuesday's 2-1 win over Florida on Tuesday. Whitney continues to produce at the age of 39, with 30 points through 33 games, solid numbers made even more impressive considering his age. Whitney hadn't scored a goal in five games, but does have nine points in the last nine games.

Nov 21: Whitney posted an assist in Monday's 4-3 loss to Washington, snapping a three-game points drought. Whitney has been quiet the last two weeks with just two assists in the last six games following a solid start to the season. Whitney still has 16 points in 19 contests for the Desert Dogs, just expect a few dry stretches from the Wizard.

Nov 6: Whitney capped the scoring Saturday with an empty-netter as Phoenix beat a surprising Edmonton team, 4-2. He also threw in an assist and finished the night plus-2. This season is proving to be quite a renaissance for the 39-year-old winger. The old man of the squad leads all Phoenix skaters with 14 points in 13 games. You're welcome to ride this hot streak for a while, but be prepared for a dry spell from time to time.

Oct 27: Whitney notched two goals in Thursday night's 5-3 victory over the visiting Devils. Whitney also added an assist, a plus-1 rating and five shots on goal as Phoenix downed New Jersey for a much-needed victory. The winger now has 10 points in nine games and looks poised for a solid season.

Oct 16: Whitney tallied a power-play score to seal Saturday's victory over Winnipeg. Whitney finished with two points and a plus-1 rating on the evening as he put a Martin Hanzal pass in the back of the net during the third period. Whitney and Hanzal tied for team-leading ice time on the power play Saturday, a combination that has the 'Yotes at 5-for-21 with the man advantage this season.

Apr 1: Whitney had two points, a goal and an assist, in the Coyotes' 4-3 shootout loss to the Avalanche on Friday. He entered Friday's action having scored one goal in his previous six games. Whitney is currently Phoenix's third leading scorer, with 16 goals and 40 assists through 72 games.

Mar 14: Whitney (lower body) returned to the lineup after missing two games, according to the team's website. Whitney had a good return to the ice. He logged a TOI of 14:28, posted an assist and went a plus-2.

Mar 13: Whitney (lower body) skated with the team on Saturday before they departed for Anaheim, according to the Arizona Republic. Head coach Dave Tippett said that Whitney will be a game-time decision. Without Whitney, they miss a key member of their scoring committee as he ranks second among his teammates in points scored with 50. The Coyotes also miss his play making ability on the power play.

Mar 8: Whitney (lower body) missed Tuesday's game against Vancouver. The veteran winger is day-to-day.

Mar 5: Whitney had a goal and a helper Saturday night in a SO win over the Red Wings. The points give him 50 on the year, the sixth straight season in which he's halved the century. The old man still has some gas in the tank and he should crack the 60-point mark. Use accordingly.

Feb 28: Whitney made a productive return to the lineup Sunday against Chicago, picking up a pair of assists on the power play. Production with the man advantage is nothing new for Whitney, who's got 24 of his 47 points on the power play this year. He got eased back into the lineup Sunday, playing just 13:26, but he appears to have returned to full health just in time for the stretch run.

Feb 24: Whitney (lower body) will be a gametime decision Friday night, when the Coyotes take on the Blue Jackets, reports Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch. Whitney hasn't played since February 19, when he suffered the injury, but he is close to returning. He is second on his team in points with 45.

Feb 20: Whitney left Saturday night's game due to a lower body injury, according to the team's website. The extent and the duration of the injury are still unknown at this point, but losing the Wizard for any stretch of games could be a serious proposition as he is a key member in the Coyotes score-by-committee approach. The 38-year-old winger ranks second on the team in points with 45 (11G 34A) and first among forwards.

Feb 14: Whitney scored a goal and assisted on another one Monday against the Canucks. Whitney has seven points in his last four games, and has 44 on the season, including 33 assists. If you need help in assists, he's a good player to use.

Feb 7: Whitney tallied two assists Monday against the Avalanche. Whitney has six assists in his last 10 games, and has quite a few helpers on the season. If you need assists, he could be worth putting in your lineup.

Jan 17: Whitney has notched six points in his last three games. After a slow start, Whitney has shown why the Coyotes signed him as a free-agent this season. During this stretch of three games, Whitney has scored two goals and four assists. He currently ranks second on the team in points with 33.

Jan 16: Whitney scored twice and added an assist to reach the 900-point plateau Saturday as Phoenix throttled Anaheim, 6-2. He reaches the mark in his 19th NHL season, a bit slower than some of the league's elite scorers, but a testament to his longevity. He remains a ways behind some fellow named Gretzky in the all-time scoring column.

Jan 2: Whitney tickled the twine twice in Sunday's 6-5 overtime loss to Minnesota. Whitney has five point in his last four games (3G, 2A). On Sunday Whitney took a team high eight shots and scored the Coyotes' first and last goal. Whitney has 27 points (8G, 19A) in 36 games, but should be considered a trade target having scored 20+ goals the previous four seasons and nine times in his career.

Dec 24: Whitney lit the lamp on the power play Thursday, but the Sharks countered with four unanswered goals to trump the Coyotes, 4-1. At 38 years old, Whitney is proving that age is nothing but a number. By scoring against the Sharks, the team that drafted him in 1991, Whitney effectively notched his 22nd point of the season. He's now on track for 55 combined goals and assists by season's end.

Dec 12: Whitney cracked back into the goal-scoring column Saturday with a marker to open the scoring against Dallas. He tossed in an assist as Phoenix breezed to a 5-2 victory. His 20 points in 28 games somehow lead this team in scoring. This season, his scoring pace is about what it was last year, with more of a focus on assists than in the past. Still, he doesn't put enough numbers on the board to be the bedrock of a winning fantasy team.

Nov 30: Whitney has notched 12 points in his last 10 games. After such a slow start, only collecting four points in the first 10 games of the season, Whitney has been heating up. He is slowly getting healthy and working alongside Radim Vrbata and Martin Hanzal has been a value added benefit. He said, "Sometimes, it's just as simple as that."

Nov 20: Whitney assisted on all three regulation goals as the Coyotes took a 4-3 decision in Edmonton Friday. Whitney has eight points over the last three games and looks to be on a mini-tear. Ride the wave while the surfing is good!

Nov 14: Whitney ended his season-long goal-scoring drought in a big way Saturday, finding nylon three times in the Coyotes' 5-3 win over the Blues. He tossed in two assists for a career-high five points. Now that the elephant has departed the room, we can mention the surprising fact that he suddenly leads the team with just 11 points on the season. That's a bad sign this far into the campaign.

Nov 7: Whitney has yet to score a goal in ten games for the Coyotes. On a team where scoring must be done by committee, Whitney has failed to contribute. After the departure of Matt Lombardi, Whitney was brought in to score goals and offer a veteran presence on the ice. So far he has offered only five assists on the season.

Oct 23: Whitney, who helped Carolina win a Stanley Cup, is looking forward to play against his former team on Saturday, according to the Arizona Republic. Playing against a former team can bring out the best in a player. He laughed when asked which of his former teammates might put the first hit on him on Saturday. "I'm not sure...there might be a lineup for that one." Whitney would like nothing better to step up his offensive production where so far he has notched only one assist and that came during the first contest with Boston.

Oct 21: Whitney (upper body) skated a fairly quiet 15:31 in his return to the lineup Thursday. He didn't get on the scoresheet and recorded just one shot on goal after a two-game absence.

Oct 20: Whitney (upper body) is expected to return to the lineup Thursday against Los Angeles, the Coyotes' official site reports. His status shoulder remain under close watch, however, as he's appeared in just two of the Coyotes' first four games because of the injury. If Phoenix is going to make a return to the playoffs this season, they'll need Whitney to remain healthy and productive as a big part of their offense, particularly on the power play.

Oct 17: Whitney sat out Phoenix's game against Detroit on Saturday due to an upper body injury. Uh-oh. Whitney has missed at least 15 games in five of the past nine seasons, and now he's 38 years old. This is not a safe place to store your fantasy investment.

Oct 16: The status of Whitney (upper body) remains uncertain for Saturday night's game against Detroit, according to the Arizona Republic. On Friday Whitney practiced for the first time this week and skated on a line with Kyle Turris and Shane Doan. However, there was no indication regarding the severity of his injury. The pre-game warmup will determine his availability as he will most likely be a game time decision.

Oct 13: Whitney (upper body) did not participate in Tuesday's practice due to an injury and is now listed as day-to-day, according to the Arizona Republic. Brought in to bolster the team's power play, the veteran winger will be missed, especially if he's out for a considerable time. However, that does possibly open the door for Kyle Turris to see some action.

Oct 10: Whitney scored an assist on a power play goal in Saturday's victory over Boston, the Arizona Republic reports. Whitney's knack for making plays, especially on the power play, was the reason the Coyotes signed him this summer. His assist led to a 4-0 lead for the Coyotes with 17 seconds left in the second period. Head coach Dave Tippett said, " "That was a nice play, that one. That's something that Ray has been known for - they don't call him 'The Wizard' for nothing."

Jul 18: Whitney will most likely play on the top line with Shane Doan and Wojtek Wolski, according to the Arizona Republic. Not only do the Coyotes add a forward with a veteran presence, they have someone that can put up significant points. During his five years with Carolina, Whitney ranked fifth on his team in points scored. He also averaged a top three ranking on his team in points scored on the power play. He will fill the void left by Matthew Lombardi and allow Wojtek Wolski to move to his natural position at center.

Jul 1: Whitney agreed to a two-year deal with the Coyotes that amounts to $3M per season, TSN's Bob McKenzie reports. Whitney will provide significant leadership to a talented young forward corps. Watch for him to have a strong offensive season in the desert. The deal has a modified "no-move" clause, meaning that it'll be difficult to trade Whitney later on.

Jun 8: The Hurricanes do not expect to re-sign the veteran Whitney, the Raleigh News and Observer reports. Carolina had previously expressed a desire to meet with Whitney, but their GM Jim Rutherford said he does not see a signing likely, as the Hurricanes plan not to be active in the free agent market. "I think it will be difficult [to reach an agreement] with where he's at, contract-wise," Rutherford said. "It appears that's the way it will go."

Jun 4: The Hurricanes will continue contract talks with Whitney, an unrestricted free agent as of July 1, the Raleigh News and Observer reports. Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford is reportedly set to meet with Whitney next week. Since joining the team in 2005-06, the savvy veteran has yet to contribute less than 50 points in any season, making it critical for the 'Canes to make the right call in regards to his contract. In the event that he stays in Raleigh, there should be an abundance of young talent for him to mentor on (and off) the ice.

Mar 4: Whitney was not dealt to another team before Wednesday's trade deadline. "Ray did not want to go anywhere," said GM Jim Rutherford. "I think at the end he would have if it was in the best interests of the organization. But the best interests of the organization was for him to finish the season here." It's a bit shocking that Carolina ended up dealing five players, with Whitney excluded from the group. Still, he becomes an unrestricted free agent next season and gives fantasy owners a solid, yet unspectacular option at the forward spot.

Mar 1: Whitney practiced with Carolina on Monday amidst rumors that he will be traded before Wednesday's deadline, the Raleigh News and Observer reports. If Whitney is moved to a competitor, it could increase his value. In the meantime, he should still be useful in deep fantasy leagues at the forward spot.

Feb 13: Whitney picked up three points, including two goals, in Saturday's win over the Devils. The points extend his current scoring streak to five games and seven points. He making a strong impression on potential trade suitors -- expect him to be in a different uni from March. And that will only help his fantasy value.

Feb 12: Whitney advanced his point streak to four consecutive games with a power-play goal in Thursday's 4-3 OT win over Buffalo. Whitney is arguably the Hurricanes' best player not named Eric Staal. If the 'Canes are looking to work some magic and somehow make the playoffs, Whitney must continue to ignite the team's first line in every game.

Jan 24: Whitney netted his 16th goal and added an assist in Sunday's 5-1 win over Boston. Whitney extended his scoring streak to give games and seven points (2G, 5A) and has 12 points (6G, 6A) in 11 January games.

Jan 23: The Hurricanes have asked Whitney to waive his no-trade clause, according to a report on CBC's Hockey Night in Canada. He picked up an assist Saturday against the Flyers. He hasn't agreed but is willing to speak to interested team to see if they'd offer him an contract extension. His value would go up a bit with a competitive team.

Jan 17: Whitney snapped a shot past Atlanta goalie Ondrej Pavelec in Saturday's 5-3 loss. Whitney now has 15 goals this season and should be deployed in deep fantasy leagues.

Jan 10: Whitney added a pair of helpers in Sunday's 4-1 victory over Ottawa. Whitney has seven points (3G, 4A) in his last six starts and 31 points (13G, 18A) in 41 games. Whitney's scoring has picked up as of late and if available is worth a flier.

Jan 8: Whitney tallied both goals in Friday night's win over the Avs. With 14 points in the last 16 games, Whitney has picked up his production a bit after struggling to just 15 points in his first 25 contests. Give him a look if you're in need of some help on the wing.

Jan 2: Whitney had the game-winning goal in overtime, helping the Hurricanes sneak past the Rangers 2-1 on Saturday. It's tough to brag about owning a Hurricane in fantasy hockey this season; they're still the bottom dwellers of the Southeast Division. Still, Whitney passes as a decent option in deep leagues, even at the tender age of 37 years old.

Dec 12: Whitney scored twice, including one on the power play, in Saturday's 4-2 loss to Ottawa. He has four goals and seven points in his last five games. The Canes have struggled but Whitney is still performing well -- he leads the team with 22 points. He's not the player he once was but he's a strong fantasy role player.

Dec 7: Whitney posted a goal and an assist in Monday's win over the Penguins. Whitney's been productive of late with five points in the last two contests (2-3-5). Carolina's been struggling, but someone has to score the goals.

Dec 5: Whitney picked up three points in Saturday's 5-3 win over Vancouver. He's been inconsistent at times, which is likely the result of Carolina's overall poor play this season. Whitney leads his team in points with 18 (7G, 11A) in 26 games.

Nov 15: Whitney netted a goal and contributed two assists in Sunday's 4-3 shootout win over Minnesota. Despite missing Saturday's practice with an undisclosed injury, Whitney was at his best on Sunday. His quality play helped the Hurricanes record their first win since crushing Florida 7-2 on Oct. 9.

Nov 14: Whitney missed practice on Saturday and his status for Sunday's game is uncertain, the Raleigh News & Observer reports. It may have just been a veteran maintenance day, as no specific injury has been reported for Whitney at this time.

Nov 13: Whitney picked up his fifth goal of the season in Friday's loss to the Islanders. Carolina does not seem like a great place to look for fantasy value these days but at least Whitney has a solid track record. Depending on the size of your league you may consider benching him occasionally but do not drop him.

Nov 8: Whitney (upper body) is expected to play in Wednesday's home game against the Kings, the Raleigh News and Observer reports. With 12 consecutive losses, to say the Hurricanes are a mess, would be a terrible understatement. Carolina ranks dead last in team points with seven, so suffice to say, they simply cannot afford to be without Whitney, who is second on the team in points (4G, 4A). If Whitney is unable to go, Zach Boychuk reportedly could get the call-up in his place.

Nov 6: Whitney (upper body) will be a game-time decision for Friday night's contest against Toronto, the Globe and Mail reports. Whitney sustained the injury on Wednesday against Florida, and the 'Canes really could use him as they are trying to snap a four-game losing streak and will be without Eric Staal, who is sidelined with an upper body injury of his own. Consider your alternatives because even if he plays, he probably won't be working 100-percent.

Oct 25: Whitney notched a pair of assists in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Wild. The Hurricanes are close to the bottom in the Southeast Division standings, but there should be no finger pointing at Whitney, as he owns a team-high eight points (4G, 4A) through 10 games.

Oct 21: Whitney had an assist in his 1000th NHL game Wednesday, but Carolina fell 4-3 to the host Islanders. The 37-year old can still produce solid fantasy numbers and has started this season off well even if his teammates haven't. Whitney now has three goals and two assists on the season, but the Hurricanes are struggling with a 2-4-2 record.

Oct 15: Whitney scored twice in Wednesday's 3-2 shootout loss against the Penguins, which helped him reach 100 goals as a member of the Hurricanes, the Hurricanes' official site reports. Whitney has elevated his game as of late, picking up three goals in as many games. Even at the tender age of 37 years old, Whitney remains an above-average option in most fantasy formats at the forward spot. The 100-goal milestone can only help his momentum.

Oct 14: Whitney scored a pair of third period markers to force overtime, but the host Hurricanes fell 3-2 to visiting Pittsburgh on Wednesday. It took few scoreless games to start the year, but Whitney is on a three-game scoring streak with three goals and an assist. The old guy still has some fantasy punch in him and anyone needing left wing help could do worse than pick up Whitney.

Sep 26: Whitney was struck in the face with a puck in the final minute of Friday's game against the Thrashers, but will play Saturday in Nashville, the Raleigh News and Observer reports. "He said his visor took the most of it, which is a good argument for visors," head coach Paul Maurice said. Disaster averted. Thanks to the visor, it appears safe to keep Whitney high on draft lists ahead of the 2009-10 season.

May 27: Whitney was a non-factor in Tuesday's Game 4 as the Penguins closed out the Eastern Conference finals by beating the 'Canes in Raleigh, 4-1. Carolina's leading scorer in the regular season largely disappeared in this series, finishing the four games with just two assists and nine shots on goal. He's signed through next season, and will be a solid if unsexy fantasy pick in the fall.

May 24: The Penguins shut Whitney out on Saturday, allowing him three shots but no points as they beat the Hurricanes in Raleigh, 6-2. It's difficult to recognize now that Whitney was Carolina's leading scorer over the regular season. He has no goals and just four assists over the last ten games (comprising the Boston series and the first three games against the Pens). In these conference finals, he has just six shots, two assists, and a minus-5 rating. When a team can shut down its opponent's leading scorer that effectively, the result is predictable -- Pittsburgh can sweep the 'Canes with another win in Game 4 on Tuesday.

May 22: Whitney assisted on Chad LaRose's first-period goal on Thursday against Pittsburgh. It's his third straight game with a scoring total of exactly one assist. More ominously, it's his ninth straight game without a goal of his own. After losing on Thursday, Carolina now finds itself in a 2-0 series hole; things will only get worse if Whitney's scoring drought continues.

May 18: Whitney posted an assist for the second-consecutive game, doing so in Monday's Game 1 loss to Pittsburgh. The Canes' leading scorer in the regular season, Whitney was relatively quiet in the series against Boston, registering just two assists in seven games. Carolina lost the series opener in both of their previous series this postseason and desperately need Whitney to be the offensive factor he can be.

May 11: The Bruins held Whitney in check for the fourth time in five games on Sunday, limiting him to a single shot on goal. Boston won, 4-0, to send the series back to Raleigh. Despite leading the 'Canes in scoring during the regular season, Whitney has largely been a no-show in the playoffs. He exploded for four points in Game 6 of the New Jersey series, but has just four points in his other 11 postseason contests.

Apr 27: After managing just two points in the first five games of the series against New Jersey, Whitney erupted for a goal and three assists in Sunday's Game 6 win. As for Tuesday's Game 7, Whitney's two previous points both came on the road, so he's shown that he can score on the Devils' ice.

Apr 18: Whitney got a cheap power-play assist in Friday's Game 2 victory at New Jersey. His blast at the goal missed everything, sailing wide of the net and banging into the end boards. But the puck popped back onto the stick of a waiting Eric Staal, who deposited it into an empty net to tie the score at 1-1. Carolina went on to win in overtime. Hockey is one of those sports in which "how" matters far less than "how many," so Whitney and his fantasy owners will take credit for the helper and smile.

Apr 16: Whitney provided Carolina's lone offensive highlight in a 4-1 loss at New Jersey on Wednesday, scoring midway through the third period against Martin Brodeur. The veteran winger had four shots on goal and added a couple of penalty minutes in the loss. We expect him to be one of the best bets among Carolina skaters for the playoffs.

Apr 12: Whitney's two assists on Saturday were good enough to enable him to wrest the Carolina scoring crown from Eric Staal. Whitney finished the regular season with 77 points (24G, 53A) to finish two points clear of Staal. Whitney's two keys to success this season were consistency and good health. After the calendar turned to 2009, he never went more than three games without registering at least one point, and he played a full 82-game slate for the first time in his 17-year career. Depending on how you assess Carolina's chances of making noise in the postseason, he should play a significant role in your playoff pool planning.

Apr 10: Whitney's assist on Thursday left him in a dead heat with Eric Staal for the team scoring lead with one game remaining on the schedule. Both men have 75 points in 81 games played. Both skaters have benefitted from Carolina's late-season offensive surge, and appear to be good selections for playoff pools. One other bright spot for Whitney -- assuming (as we do) that he'll appear in Saturday's regular-season finale at New Jersey, it will mark the first time in his career that he has played in all 82 games in a season.

Mar 26: Whitney assisted on Rod Brind'Amour's third-period tally aganst the Sens on Wednesday. It's the 500th helper of his career. The assist stretches his team scoring lead over Eric Staal to three points (69-66). The 'Canes play just six more games in the regular season, and you should have Whitney active for each of them.

Mar 23: Whitney posted the overtime winner Monday against Florida, giving him five points in the last three games. The crafty veteran has been chugging along in the Canes' march to the playoffs, with 12 points in the last eight games. As long as he's healthy, Whitney is a viable fantasy option. He's been quite consistent of late and is the Canes' leading scorer at this point.

Mar 21: Whitney banked three assists in Carolina's home win over the Isles on Saturday. With the three points, he leapfrogged Eric Staal to retake the team scoring lead (23-43-66 in 73 games). The primary key to his fantasy value this season has been his health; he's one of only three 'Canes who haven't missed a game.

Mar 15: Whitney tallied a goal and an assist and finished Saturday's game plus-4, but the 'Canes fell in a shootout to the Caps. The Hurricanes have 11 games remaining, and Whitney should be active for all of them unless you have a very, very shallow league.

Mar 12: Whitney's goal Thursday night gives him nine points in his last six games. He was held off the score sheet just once in that span. He and Rod Brind'Amour are white hot right now; you know what to do.

Mar 9: Whitney registered two assists in Monday's 3-0 win against the Rangers. Whitney has had mutli-point efforts in three of his past four games, with three goals and seven points over that span. He's in the midst of a solid season with 58 points in 68 games and should continue to see scoring opportunities with the red-hot Hurricanes.

Mar 6: Whitney tickled the twine three times in Friday evening's 6-1 win over Calgary. Whitney's goals all came with the man advantage giving him 21 (6G, 15A) of his 56 points (21G, 35A) on the power play. Whitney now has 300 career goals.

Mar 4: Whitney had two assists, one on the power play, in Carolina's victory at Washgton on Tuesday. The two points snap a modest three-game scoring drought, and keep him at the top of the Carolina scoring list with 53 points in 65 games.

Mar 1: The Thrashers shut Whitney down on Saturday, holding him to one shot and no points. Atlanta scored four late goals to win, 5-3. He's now gone three games without a point. He'll snap out of that slump, but with only 18 games left on Carolina's schedule, he might not reach the 70-point level.

Feb 25: Whitney's four-game scoring string was snapped on Tuesday as the Senators held him without a point in Ottawa's 4-2 win. He still has a lot of work to do if he wants to reach 70 points this season. The one thing that favors his effort is that he's had good health all season, and still hasn't missed a game.

Feb 22: Whitney had two more assists and a strong plus-4 rating in Sunday's win over Colorado. This stretches his team scoring lead to five points over Eric Staal. Whitney has 51 points (18G, 33A) in 61 games, and somehow has managed to play in every game this season.

Feb 21: Whitney contributed two assists -- both on the power play -- in Carolina's home win over the Bolts on Friday. After a brief barren stretch the previous week, he has now registered points in three straight games. While Eric Staal is hot on his heels, Whitney still leads the Hurricanes in scoring (18-31-49 in 60 games).

Feb 16: Whitney completed a dismal week on Sunday as the Sabres shut him down for the third straight game. For the week, his totals were no points, four shots on goal, and a minus-3 rating. He still leads the sickly Carolina attack with 44 points in 57 games.

Feb 15: Whitney's offensive passivity continued on Saturday as he attempted just one shot on Columbus goaltender Steve Mason. The Jackets won in Raleigh, 5-1; Whitney finished minus-1 with two giveaways. He's averaging 2.8 shots per game, which is a bit higher than his career average. But if the Hurricanes are to turn around their recent slide, they'll need their leading scorer to head for the net more often.

Feb 13: The Panthers held Whitney, Carolina's scoring leader, to just one shot and a minus-2 rating in Thursday's 5-0 win over the Hurricanes. This ends his four-game scoring streak. We expect Whitney to rekindle the flame over the weekend, when the 'Canes entertain the Jackets and travel to Boston.

Feb 8: Whitney had an assist and four penalty minutes in Carolina's lopsided win in Phoenix on Saturday night. The penalty minutes, which came on a high sticking double minor, are an aberration for Whitney, who generally stays out of the penalty box. He leads all Carolina skaters with 44 points in 54 games.

Feb 6: Whitney scored a game-tying goal in the thrid period against San Jose. The 'Canes went on to win in a shootout. The tally is his 17th of the campaign. Beyond the box score, Whitney will be among several veteran players who will be asked to take enhanced leadership roles, as the 'Canes are hurting right now, both physically and in the standings.

Feb 4: Whitney logged two assists against the Canucks on Tuesday night. The noteworthy thing about this season is that Whitney hasn't missed any of the Hurricanes' 52 games. His health has always been a problem, as he has exceeded 67 games played just twice since the 2000-01 campaign. If he stays healthy, we expect about 25 more points the rest of the way.

Feb 1: Whitney hit the 40-point plateau on Saturday with a goal against the Thrashers. He continues to lead the offensively-challenged 'Canes in scoring, but that's not saying much this season.

Jan 30: The Lightning shut Whitney down on Thursday, holding the Hurricanes' leading scorer without a point in the contest, which was won by Carolina, 3-2. The bad news is that, at the 50-game mark, Whitney's scoring total is just 39 points (15G, 24A), and he's minus-13 on the campaign. Whitney is one of several underachieving Carolina skaters, and there's no sign of an impending offensive breakthrough.

Jan 21: Whitney scored a first-period power-play goal in Tuesday's win at Pittsburgh. It was his 15th tally of the campaign. With seven points in nine games, Whitney is the closest thing to a consistent nightly scorer on this team. He leads the 'Canes with a modest 39 points (15 of those on the power play) in 48 games.

Jan 17: Whitney was the only Hurricane to solve the red-hot Ryan Miller Saturday night in a 3-1 loss to the Sabres. It's his 14th goal and 38th point of the season, and that's four points better than the next Carolina player (Eric Staal). His plus-minus is a bit sketchy (minus-11) but that's usually OK in all but the most specialized leagues. Keep him rolling but give some consideration to trading him while he's hot. He's 35 and is starting to slow from his typical point-per-game pace. Not by much -- he has 38 in 46 -- but that's enough given his propensity for injury.

Jan 9: The Panthers shut Whitney down on Thursday, holding him to just one shot on goal and no points in a 4-2 Florida win. Whitney finished the night minus-2. He has just two points in six games, a minor cold streak that probably only reflects a lack of shooting. He has launched the puck just 10 times in those six games, a pace that's about half his usual firing rate. He'll turn it around.

Jan 4: Whitney snapped a three-game scoreless streak by assisting on Joni Pitkanen's game-winner against Tampa Bay on Saturday. He's the Hurricanes' leading scorer with a modest total of 33 points in 40 games. We think he'll score at a slightly better pace than that over the remainder of the campaign -- figure something like 40 points the rest of the way, assuming he stays healthy -- but he shows no signs of an imminent breakout. The health is not a given, by the way; while he's played in all of Carolina's games this season, he has reached 80 games played only four times in the first 16 seasons of his career.

Dec 29: Whitney was permitted to skip Monday's practice for a "maintenance day," coach Paul Maurice is quoted as saying in the Raleigh News and Observer's hockey blog. While this theoretically could refer to an oil change, lube job, and tune up on his sports car, it's most likely the equivalent of a day of personal leave, and nothing to be concerned about from a fantasy perspective.

Dec 27: Whitney picked up three helpers in Friday's 5-4 win over the Thrashers. Whitney has tallied a point in 10 of the past 11 games and remains one of the best fantasy options on Carolina's roster.

Dec 24: Whitney had a goal and an assist in Tuesday's loss to the Wild. He's been Carolina's most prolific and most consistent scorer lately, with 12 points in his past 10 games. He isn't an elite scorer, but he's the best thing going on the Hurricanes' roster.

Dec 20: Whitney picked up his 11th goal of the season on Saturday in a losing cause. He now has 26 points on the campaign, leading all 'Canes skaters. With points in six of his last seven contests, he's a strong start recommendation in most fantasy leagues.

Dec 17: Whitney was blanked by the Habs on Tuesday, snapping a five-game scoring streak. He only took two shots on goal in the game. Don't let this dissuade you from rolling him every night.

Dec 14: Whitney bagged his 10th goal of the season in Carolina's overtime loss to the Rangers on Saturday. After 30 games, he leads the 'Canes with a modest 23 points. But he has made every score sheet in the five-game Paul Maurice era, going 3-3-6 in that time. We expect this uptick in his scoring to continue, so if you own him, we suggest that you continue to roll him.

Dec 8: Whitney scored twice in Carolina's 3-1 win over the Caps on Sunday. The two markers were a long time coming, as Whitney hadn't found the net in seven straight games before this one. We expect Carolina's slumbering offense to awaken under new coach Paul Maurice, and Whitney, who already leads the team with 21 points (in 28 games) should share in the added bounty.

Dec 1: Whitney was shut out on Sunday against the Ducks, his fifth straight collar. He'd be in danger of losing the team scoring lead, but no one else on the 'Canes is doing anything on the offensive end, either.

Nov 29: Whitney missed Saturday's practice (rest), but he'll play against the Ducks on Sunday, the Raleigh News and Observer reports. He's struggled recently, so perhaps a day off to clear his dead is just what the veteran needs to get back on track.

Nov 27: The Flyers shut Whitney down on Wednesday, marking the third straight game in which he has failed to register a point. He still leads the Hurricanes in scoring, but this year, that's like bragging that you can outrun a tree. He has 17 points in 23 games, and is headed for a 60-point season unless he picks up the pace.

Nov 21: Whitney scored the last two goals in Friday's 5-2 win over Phoenix. Whitney's second goal was an empty netter, but he still has 17 points (7G, 10A) in 20 games and should be starting in all formats.

Nov 19: Whitney scored the game-winning goal on a third-period power play Tuesday against Montreal. He easily paced the team with seven shots on goal. He leads all Carolina skaters with 15 points (5G, 10A) in 19 games. That isn't a world-beating pace, but he's the best thing going on this relatively low-scoring team.

Nov 5: Whitney collected two assists in Carolina's overtime win over the Maple Leafs on Tuesday. His 11 points (3G, 8A) lead the team after 12 games. As long as his health holds out, he will be one of the top three fantasy values on the Hurricanes roster.

Nov 2: Whitney's goal and assist in Carolina's 6-4 win over Toronto Sunday both came on the power play. With nine points in 11 games, Whitney is perking along at just under a point per game and can be counted on for more of the same.

Nov 1: Whitney's first-period goal, his second tally of the season, was all the offense Carolina could muster in a 3-1 home loss to Edmonton on Saturday afternoon. The Carolina offense is sputering, scoring just four goals in the team's last three games, and Whitney's personal drought -- this was his first goal since Opening Night -- hasn't helped. We believe he and the rest of the Hurricane offense will get untracked, but this might test your patience.

Oct 31: Whitney launched seven shots on goal on Thursday, but was unable to find the net as Carolina won at St. Louis, 1-0. He has now gone four games without a point, going minus-4 in those games, and is stuck on six points (1G, 5A) after nine games this season. It is not time to panic, but we're watching carefully to see if this slide contiues.

Oct 20: Whitney logged an assist in Carolina's road win over the Ducks on Sunday, giving him at least one point in each of the Hurricanes' five games this season. He leads the team in scoring with one goal and five helpers on the campaign. The way he's playing, you should ensure that he's active every time the 'Canes take the ice. The next such date is Thursday at Pittsburgh.

Oct 18: Whitney had an assist in Friday's game at Los Angeles, giving him a team-leading five points (1G, 4A) in the first four games of the season. While he's healthy, he will generate plenty of offense; he's a solid start recommendation whenever he suits up.

Oct 12: Whitney notched two assists in Carolina's overtime win over the Lightning on Saturday. He now has three points in his first two games. Obviously, you should not simply extrapolate those numbers over an 82-game schedule, but Whitney will definitely generate plenty of offense as long as he says healthy.

Apr 3: Whitney skated 18 shifts on Wednesday, but did not score or register a shot on goal as the Hurricanes beat Tampa Bay, 6-2. He finished plus-1. Coach Peter Laviolette used Whitney and teammate Matt Cullen, also returning from injury, sparingly in the third period, with the game all but decided. Whitney belongs in your lineup for Friday's game against Florida, and for the playoffs if the 'Canes get in.

Apr 2: Whitney returned to action on Tuesday after missing all of March with a knee injury. He skated 13:21 in 16 shifts, a relatively light load, in Carolina's 4-1 loss at Washington. Carolina has two games left in the regular season. If you own Whitney, you should lock him into your lineup now.

Apr 1: Whitney,who underwent knee surgery in mid-March, participated in full-contact practice on Monday, and will probably be available for Tuesday night's showdown against the Caps, the Raleigh News & Observer reports. No guarantees here, but he and the 'Canes urgently need his puckhandling and shooting skills in this crucial game. If you need to take a chance in your league, then activate him.

Mar 15: Whitney (ankle) was placed on the injured reserve Saturday, the Raleigh News and Observer reports. Some reports expect Whitney to miss the rest of the season, but don't jump the gun just yet. We expect this move to be retroactive to the day he suffered the injury (Feb. 28), and we'll let you know when more information is released.

Mar 14: Whitney (leg), who has missed the last five games to due a groin injury and last played a game Feb. 28, will be out for another 2-3 weeks as the team announced on Friday that Whitney will undergo surgery on Saturday to repair a damaged bursa in his leg. Whitney ranks second among all Hurricanes with 25 goals and 59 points this season (despite having playing only 63 of the team's 72 games) but Whitney owners need to know there remains only 10 games for Carolina. It may be time to cut bait for those still hunting for a league crown with left-wing eligible games to maximize. If Whitney returns in two weeks from Saturday's impending surgery, he'd have four games left to play but if he's back in three weeks he misses the rest of the regular season.

Mar 14: Whitney (leg) won't play Friday against Buffalo, according to the Raleigh News & Observer's hockey blog. The lingerng agony continues. (It's a nuisance to Whitney, but agony to his fantasy owners.)

Mar 13: Whitney sat out Wednesday's game against the Blackhawks due to his lingering leg injury, but he's traveling with the team and will probably make an appearance on this road trip, according to the Raleigh News and Observer. He's among the most reliable scorers on the Carolina roster, but he can't make any score sheets from the trainer's table. The 'Canes now head to Buffalo to take on the Sabres on Friday, and the veteran winger may be ready to go by then.

Mar 8: Whitney is getting close to returning to action, and is awaiting the arrival of a special boot to accommodate swelling in his ankle. Saturday's contest against the Sabres is probably too soon to expect a return, but next week's slate is probably fair game, in case you set weekly rosters.

Mar 6: Whitney (groin) is questionable for Thursday's match up with Minnesota, according to Faceoff.com. Whitney has missed the last two games due to the injury. With a groin injury's ability to stay with a player for an extended period of time, the safe bet would be to look in another direction, if at all possible.

Mar 5: Whitney didn't participate in practice on Tuesday, and is unlikely to play in Wednesday's game at Atlanta. He's still suffering from a sore groin, sustained last week. The 'Canes take the ice again Thursday, this time at home, and he might answer the bell for that one. But for Wednesday's game, you should definitely use another forward if you can.

Mar 2: Whitney sat out Saturday's game against Tampa Bay. He's suffering from a sore groin. The 'Canes don't play again until Wednesday, and that may be enough time for him to heal properly. Just remember that groin injuries have a nasty tendency to linger.

Feb 29: Whitney saw scant ice time in the third period of Thursday's loss to the Rangers. He was bothered by a lingering groin injury. Team doctors will evaluate him on Friday. The 'Canes play just once more in the next five days (Saturday against Tampa Bay), so there is a fair chance he might sit that one out and give the groin a rest over this stretch.

Feb 20: Shaking off a groin injury that had cost him Monday's game at New Jersey, Whitney fired a team-high eight shots on goal Tuesday against Boston. He connected on one of them, and added an assist in Carolina's 3-2 shootout loss. Given the season-ending injury to Rod Brind'Amour, the Hurricanes will have to get some leadership from somewhere. The veteran Whitney is as likely a candidate as any, given his playoff experience and his scoring ability. If you own him, continue to run him whenever you can.

Feb 19: Whitney (groin) skated Tuesday morning and will probably suit up against the Bruins Tuesday evening, the News and Observer reports. He missed Monday's game against the Devils after tweaking his groin Sunday. He might be a little slowed Tuesday but feel free to use him as you normally would.

Feb 18: Whitney was a late scratch for Carolina's 5-1 loss to New Jersey Monday because of a groin injury, the Associated Press reports. The report did not elaborate on the extent of Whitney's injury or on how much time he is expected to miss. Check back for updates.

Feb 17: Whitney cashed in the game-winning goal on Saturday as Carolina stormed back from a two-goal deficit to beat the Panthers, 5-4, on Saturday. Reversing a problematic trend, he finished plus-2 on the night. Earlier this week, we bemoaned Whitney's seeming reluctance to take a shot. But six shots on Thursday and five more Saturday prove that he won't be retreating into oblivion any time soon. Whitney is one of the veterans who will have to carry a greater portion of the load now that team captain Rod Brind'Amour is out for teh season.

Feb 14: Whitney collected three points, including a power-play goal and two assists, Thursday night against Pittsburgh. He snapped a five-game pointless slide in February, and scored his first goal in 10 games. Whitney now has more career points (35 in 33 games) against the Penguins than any other NHL franchise except for the Capitals (38 in 44 games).

Feb 12: Whitney missed his one and only shot on goal on Tuesday, and again finished minus-1 as the Hurricanes won in Boston, 3-2. The bad signs are getting consistent now -- he has atempted just five shots in his last four games, and has been bleeding steadily in the +/- column for three weeks. Tuesday's collar means that Whitney has surrendered the team scoring lead to Rod Brind'Amour, and both men are now a long ways away from a point-per-game pace.

Feb 10: Continuing a troubling trend, Whitney attempted no shots on Saturday against New Jersey. He finished without a point and, for the fifth game in a row, minus-1 on the night. The +/- column has always been Whitney's Achilles' heel. He's minus-97 over his career, although that's mostly due to his playing on some mediocre teams. He stood at plus-4 on this season in mid-January, but a cumulative minus-11 in his past 10 games has pushed him back to the wrong side of the ledger. There is no good explanation for the lack of shots; our theory is that opposing defenses may be focusing on him due to the current lack of other scorers on the team.

Feb 9: Whitney had zero points and a minus-1 rating for the third straight game as Carolina beat Washington on Friday, 2-1. He did contribute a surprising eight penalty minutes. We're monitoring his dwindling shots on goal, and he attempted just two in Friday's game. We expect Caroina skipper Peter Laviolette to light a fire under him to get more aggressive on offense. As for the penalties, don't expect him to become a new source of sin bin time; he now has a whopping total of 20 PIM this season, in 54 games.

Feb 6: Whitney did not attempt a single shot on goal in Tuesday's 1-0 loss at Nashville. This was a night in which Carolina's forward lines didn't carry the load; 16 of the team's 31 shots against Preds netminder Chris Mason were launched by defensemen. Whitney has attempted just two shots in his last two games, well below his average of over three shots per contest. We expect that to turn around quickly, so keep him active.

Feb 3: Whitney's four game scoring string was snapped in Saturday's loss to the Penguins. He finished minus-1 with two shots on goal. The veteran winger has been the steadiest scorer in a Carolina sweater this season; he hasn't been collared in back-to-back games since mid-December. You should unhesitatingly continue to start him.

Jan 31: Whitney stretched his current point streak to four games and five points with two helpers Thursday against Toronto. He has 20 points, including nine on the power play, in his last 17 games. That kind of production on the left flank is top flight -- you know what to do.

Jan 23: Whitney's assist Tuesday against the Islanders was offset by a minus-4 rating in the Hurricanes' 6-3 loss. His once soaring rating has now fallen into red figures. He's minus-11 over his last 12 games, taking him to minus-3 on the season.

Jan 18: Whitney's power play goal was the only highlight of the night for the sagging Hurricanes, who lost at Ottawa, 5-1. Whitney finished minus-2. The veteran winger has been pouring it on lately, with 15 points in his last 12 games, but he has received spotty support from his teammates. He's still an automatic start in virtually all fantasy formats, but with the team playing poorly these days, you should expect his +/- rating to be vulnerable.

Jan 15: Whitney (flu) returned to the Carolina lineup on Tuesday night after missing the club's previous three games. He played 19:13 in the contest and picked up an assist. He is safe to activate.

Jan 14: Whitney (flu) practiced Monday and could play Tuesday against Toronto, the Associated Press reports. The Hurricanes have been badly hit by the flu, and four players missed Saturday's loss to Colorado. Coach Peter Laviolette said: "Unless there's a setback, you will see some of them back."

Jan 12: Whitney is still not certain to play Saturday against the Avalanche. The flu bug that hit Whitney and much of the rest of the team earlier in the week is proving especially virulent. On the assumption that he will play after all, you might still want to wait before activating him. The flu often saps a player's strength even for a day or two after the major symptoms have gone. And it's a good bet that his skills haven't been sharpened by a few days of forced idleness. The better course is to use a healthy alternative on Saturday, and then plan to activate him for Tuesday's encounter with the Leafs.

Jan 11: The flu bug that bit Whitney earlier in the week cost him a second game, Thursday against the Devils. You didn't expect him to play 82 games, did you? This is Ray Whitney we're talking about here, who has reached 80 games in a season only twice since the turn of the millenium. Unless the strain of flu that ran through the Hurricanes' roster this week is particularly virulent, he should be back Saturday against Colorado.

Jan 8: Whitney (illness) missed Tuesday's game against Boston. Consider him day-to-day.

Dec 30: By assisting on Carolina's lone goal on Saturday, Whitney extended his scoring string to six games. You'll always get consistent scoring from Whitney, as long as he's healthy. Only once this season has he gone four straight games without a point, and his 39 points (18G, 21A) in 40 games should be enough to help you in even shallow leagues.

Dec 22: Whitney was a man possessed in the third period of Saturday's game against the Lightning. He scored twice and had an assist in the last ten-and-a-half minutes. Granted, one of the goals and the assist came on empty-net opportunities but he was still the game's top player. And with 36 points in 37 games, he is a great roll, particularly if you're rolling him as a left winger.

Dec 19: Whitney pounded Toronto goalie Vesa Toskala with eight shots on Tuesday, eventually connecting with just 27 seconds remaining in regulation to tie the score. The 'Canes went on to win the game in overtime. The tally is his 15th of the season. As long as he stays healthy, Whitney is a solid start recommendation.

Dec 16: Whitney apparently isn't significantly hampered by the unspecified injury that caused him to miss practice earlier in the week. He played full complements of shifts in Friday's game against Calgary and Saturday's shootout win over Philadelphia. Unfortunately, he also hasn't hit the scoresheet in his last four games, so perhaps the injury has cost him in intangible ways. Whitney is a dependable scorer who doesn't often suffer sustained droughts; we expect him to break out of this one shortly.

Dec 13: Whitney missed practice on Wednesday with what the Raleigh News & Observer's hockey blog called a "nagging injury." The blog post theorizes that the unspecified injury must be "reasonably serious," but we have no way of confirming that right now; the Hurricanes' web site makes no mention of it. Be prerpared to shuttle another forward into your lineup for Friday, in case Whitney isn't ready to go against Calgary.

Dec 8: Whitney potted two goals and added an assist Saturday against the Canadiens. He now has 30 points in as many games and looks to be on track to repeat his heroics of last season. Keeper leaguers might want to start examining trade options, though -- he's coming up on 36 in May and you need to maximize your return while you can.

Dec 1: Whitney's late tally provided Carolina's only good news of the night on Saturday, as the Sabres won 8-1 in Buffalo. Somehow, despite all those goals, Whitney managed to escape the game with only a minus-2 rating. He and the 'Canes will look to regroup from this demoralizing loss in time for Monday's game against the Rangers.

Nov 29: The steady Whitney logged an assist on Wednesday against the Flyers, giving him a thin four-game scoring streak (2G, 2A). The Hurricanes have been struggling lately (6-6-0 in November), so consistent scoring like this will keep the ship from keeling over, but it won't produce major movements in the standings. Whitney now has 25 points in as many games played.

Nov 18: Whitney was held without a point for the third game in a row on Saturday. Over that span, he's minus-4, with just seven shots on goal. Despite this short drought, he's still averaging a point per game (9G, 12A in 21 games), and will resume his scoring pace in short order.

Nov 15: Whitney's 10-game point streak came to an end in Wednesday's 6-1 loss to the Lightning. It was a fantastic run for a player that often goes undervalued in drafts. He's been a big reason why the Hurricanes' offense has been so potent early in the season.

Nov 13: Whitney's two assists helped carry the Hurricanes to a 4-3 win over the Panthers on Monday. With seven goals and 10 assists in his current 10-game scoring streak, Whitney cannot be benched right now for any reason.

Nov 11: Whitney continued his extended stay on the Carolina scoresheets, posting two assists in the Hurricanes' win over Atlanta on Saturday. He has at least one point in nine straight games (7G, 8A), and is one of the hottest players in the entire league right now.

Nov 8: Whitney scored the lone Carolina goal, his ninth, in a 5-1 loss to the Lightning Thursday night. He extended his point streak to eight games, a span during which he's totalled seven goals and six assists.

Nov 6: Whitney extended his current scoring streak to seven games on Monday, notching two assists in the Hurricanes' lopsided win over Washington. The number of high-scoring Hurricanes is dizzying, so Whitney, who emphatically has learned how to score over his career, will be able to figure out a way to make the scoresheet without having opposing defenses key on him.

Oct 31: Whitney extended his point streak to five games with a goal on Wednesday. He has nine points during his hot stretch, including six goals and three assists. Whitney figures to produce about a point per game for as long as he can stay healthy, especially on a motivated Hurricanes team.

Oct 27: Whitney was one of several Hurricanes to enjoy a monster night on Long Island on Saturday, as the Hurricanes won a laugher, 8-2. The veteran winger racked up two goals and an assist, and finished the night +4. He is one of no fewer than six Hurricanes with at least 12 points in the team's first 12 games. When the team has this much balance in scoring, it's impossible for opposing defenses to focus on any one player, making Whitney (and just about any other 'Cane forward) a sound fantasy bet on any given night.

Oct 23: Whitney had an assist and an empty-net goal, both on the power play, as Carolina beat Vancouver on Monday, 3-1. Of his six points thus far (in nine games), five have come with the man advantage. We expect him to score at a slightly more brisk pace from here onward; remember that he led the 'Canes in scoring last season, with 83 points.

Oct 20: Whitney had a power play goal in Friday's shootout loss to the Pens. Whitney is a fantasy stud who scored at more than a point-per-game pace last year, but has started this season slowly, with just four points (2G, 2A) in the team's first seven games. It's too early to think that you can pick him up cheaply in trade, but if his slow pace continues for another couple of weeks, it will probably be time to find out if his owner in your league is getting jumpy.

Sep 30: Whitney's recent groin injury appears to have healed, as he played 17:52 in 20 shifts in Friday's preseason win over the Jackets. He even had some time on the power play, so he looks good to go for the start of the regular season. Whitney was the club's leading scorer in 2006-07, and should be in your starting lineup when the 'Canes take the ice on October 3.

Sep 26: Whitney did not play in Carolina's preseason game against Washington on Tuesday, as he reported a sore groin. Keep this in mind over the course of the season. When he's healthy, Whitney scores at a good clip, but he's 35 years old, and his health is a risky thing to rely upon.

Sep 21: Whitney scored a goal in Carolina's 3-0 win over Nashville on Friday. Whitney had a career year in 2006-07, averaging more than a point per game for the first time in 15 NHL seasons. It wouldn't be surprising to see him continue producing at an elevated rate but it's important to remember the 35-year-old has a history on injuries.

Apr 24: Whitney underwent successful shoulder surgery on Tuesday and is expected to be ready for the start of training camp in September, the Associated Press reports. The 34-year-old veteran averaged more than one point per game in 2006-07, and he'll begin his three-month rehabilitation program soon. We'll follow up on Whitney's status in the event of any setbacks during the rehab process.

Apr 14: Whitney and the Hurricanes on Friday agreed to terms on a three-year, $10.65 million contract. That's actually pretty good value for a guy who will be coming off an 83-point season. Even though he's been playing in the NHL since 1991-92, Whitney is still just 34, so three more seasons seems about right if Carolina is looking for value. We'll see if he and some of the other Hurriances vets can get the team back into the playoffs next season.

Apr 9: With the premature end of the Hurricanes' season, Whitney's next stop is unrestricted free agency, on July 1. Carolina GM Jim Rutherford knows that re-signing Whitney is Assignment #1 in his offseason to-do list. Whitney earned about $1.5 million last year, and will command far more than that over the summer. Still, the 'Canes will push to get him back in the fold, to make another run at the playoffs next season. With almost all its stars locked up with contracts, he team has the talent (assuming Whitney stays) and the chemistry to do that.

Apr 8: Whitney's third period assist on Saturday enabled him to capture Carolina's scoring title. It was his 83rd point of the season, putting him clear of teammate Rod Brind'Amour by a single point. The veteran winger blew by most preseason scoring estimates, and enjoyed a terrific year in all ways but one -- the Hurricanes are done for the season, having failed to make the playoffs.

Apr 4: Whitney lit the lamp for the 32nd time this season, during Carolina's loss to the Bolts on Tuesday. Whitney has exceeded everyone's scoring expectations this year, and has no doubt contributed to many runs at fantasy titles.

Apr 2: Whitney's 31st goal of the season came at a fortunate time -- in overtime of the Hurricanes' come-from-behind win at Florida on Sunday. He added an assist to his game-winner, and has now surpassed 80 points for the first time in his career.

Mar 28: Whitney tallied his 30th goal of the season in Wednesday's game at Philadelphia. The score came in the dying seconds of the second frame, halved a two-goal Carolina deficit, and gave the 'Canes a sense of hope. But three unanswered Flyer goals in the final frame turned this game into a blowout. As we have noted, he has a fighting chance of topping his career high in goal scoring; he needs just three more in the team's final five games to do that. His 79 points this season are already a career high.

Mar 25: Whitney lit the lamp in the first period of the Hurricanes' win over the Sharks on Saturday, giving him 77 points on the season. That's a career best for the veteran winger. His career high for goals (33 in 1997-98 with the Oilers and Panthers) is within reach; he has 28 markers this campaign, and seven games to go.

Mar 14: Whitney was blanked for the fourth time in his last five games as Carolina defeated Florida on Tuesday. His 74 points (in just 69 games) are just two points shy of his career high. He still leads the team in scoring, although he's cooled noticeably in this recent slow stretch.

Mar 11: Stillman was held off the scoresheet in Sunday's shootout loss to the Rangers. He finshed minus-1. His late-game absence -- he didn't take the ice at all after the 13 minute mark of the third, and sat out the entire overtime period -- is puzzling, as there's no indication he's injured. We'll monitor this to see if it's anything other than Carolina skipper Peter Laviolette's discretion.

Mar 11: Whitney notched his 47th assist of the season in Sunday's shootout loss to the Rangers. When he has been active, he's been money in the bank. The ankle injury that caused him to miss his first game of the season last Sunday doesn't appear to be hampering him.

Mar 9: Whitney saw 18 minutes of ice time in Friday's win at Washington. He didn't score, but finished plus-1. His ankle injury appears to be a thing of the past. In case there's any doubt, get him active.

Mar 9: The Hurricanes have told the Raleigh News and Observer that Whitney will probably play Friday against the Capitals. He has been out for a week with an ankle injury, but thanks to a scheduling quirk, he has missed only one game. If you own him, we suggest activating him immediately. Only the Flyers give up more goals than the Caps, so Whitney's return for this game gives his fantasy owners a nice opportunity.

Mar 4: Whitney has an ankle injury and won't play Sunday against Atlanta. This doesn't look likely to be a long-term injury, so shelf him for this game and expect to be able to reactivate him for the team's next game, Friday at Washington.

Feb 28: Whitney's hot streak continued on Tuesday, as he registered an assist in the Hurricanes' 4-2 loss to Ottawa. He's up to 74 points in 65 games, which is a nice pace for anyone these days. He has stayed healthy -- he's one of only six 'Canes to have played in each of the team's games this season -- and as long as that lasts, he will probably be the most valuable fantasy player in a Carolina jersey.

Feb 20: Whitney registered a point for the sixth time in seven contests, assisting on Rod Brind'Amour's goal against Atlanta on Tuesday. The march to a 90-point season continues. He's now standing at 70 (26G, 44A) and comfortably leading all 'Canes skaters.

Feb 18: After having his five-game scoring string snapped on Thursday, Whitney started a new one on Saturday, registering an assist against the Canadiens. Given his remarkably consistent scoring, we feel confident he'll follow this one up with more scoresheet appearances in the Hurricanes' upcoming contests. The veteran forward has enjoyed a tremendous renaissance this season, and will, barring injury, obliterate his previous career scoring high (76 points in 2002-03).

Feb 11: Whitney's hot streak continued on Saturday against Minnesota. He had a goal and a power play assist, while pacing the 'Canes with five shots. Eight points in four games will perk up your stats quite a bit. Whitney will get some serious consideration when the league hands out player of the week honors.

Feb 7: Whitney reached the 60-point mark on Tuesday, notching a power play assist in the Hurricanes' win over the Canadiens. If he keeps this pace up, he'll blow by his previous career year (24-52-76 with Columbus in '02-'03) somewhere around St. Patrick's Day. Needless to say, this is a good time to own the 34-year-old winger.

Jan 31: Whitney scored Carolina's only goal in Tuesday's loss to the Leafs. He fired a team-high six shots on goal. We doubt he can sustain this 1.1 points per game pace, but it's a fun ride while it lasts. Whitney is one of seven 'Canes who have appeared in all 53 of the team's games this season. He has stayed fully healthy only once in the past five seasons, so there is at least the shadow of an injury risk here.

Jan 21: Whitney scored his 19th goal of the season in Saturday's game against Tampa Bay. This gives him 53 points in 50 games, and noses him in front of Rod Brind'Amour for the team scoring lead.

Jan 16: Whitney picked up his 51st point of the season, assisting on Justin Williams's overtime winner in Tuesday's game against the Panthers. We'll keep this simple: You should be starting him at every opportunity.

Jan 14: Whitney scored a goal and finished plus-1 in Saturday's game against Atlanta. He now has 50 points on the year, and is one of only two 'Canes averaging more than a point per game (Rod Brind'Amour is the other). We can't think of a circumstance compelling enough to warrant benching him, even in shallow leagues.

Jan 12: Whitney pocketed an empty-net goal in the waning seconds of Carolina's win over the Panthers on Thursday. He continues to put up numbers at a pace to exceed his career scoring highs. The team also signalled its confidence in him by sewing an 'A' to his sweater after alternate captain Kevyn Adams was traded earlier this week.

Jan 10: Whitney bagged two helpers in the Hurricanes' win over the Leafs on Tuesday. That's four points in the last two games for Whitney, who has now taken over the team lead with 48 points in 45 games. The primary reason for his scoring surge is consistency; he seldom goes more than two games without recording a point. As long as he remains healthy, he'll be a solid scoring force.

Jan 1: Whitney bagged both of Carolina's goals in Sunday's 5-2 loss to the Flyers. One of those came on the power play. With the return on Cory Stillman, there has been some concern that Whitney would yield some of his power play time (and productivity), bt that doesn't seem to have materialized; Whitney has seven power play points (3G, 4A) in his last eight games.

Dec 29: Whitney scored his 14th goal of the season and added a pair of helpers in Carolina's 4-2 win over Anaheim on Friday night. Whitney now has 42 points in 40 games and shows no sign of slowing down ? enjoy the ride.

Dec 23: Whitney had two assists and six shots on goal in just under 13 minutes of ice time on Friday. The 'Canes easily handled the Isles, 5-1. The veteran got to relax for the game's final 19 minutes after Carolina surged to a five-goal lead, and coach Peter Laviolette allowed some of his younger players to eat up some ice time.

Dec 2: Whitney is enjoying success this season at a level he hasn't reached before in his long NHL career. He has played in all 27 of the Hurricanes' games, and has 29 points (9G, 20A) and a plus-6 rating to show for it. Part of the reason for that success is the absence of teammate Cory Stillman, who's recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. But in a feature story in the Raleigh Newsand Observer, Carolina skipper Peter Laviolette says that Whitney's increased role will continue even after Stillman's return. This is excellent news for Whitney's fantasy owners, who have only to worry that his health will hold out for the duration of the season.

Nov 19: Whitney scored again on Saturday, an even strength goal in the first period of Carolina's 504 win against Dallas. He finished plus-1. Whitney is among the safest fantasy contributors you can own. He's up to 28 points in 22 games, a pace that would put him above 100 for the year if he stays healthy. That being said, the health factor is one you shouldn't take for granted, as he has played more than 67 games in a season only once since 2000.

Nov 18: A goal and two assists against Washington on Friday brought Whitney's season total to 27 points in 21 games. As usual, most of that damage came at even strength, giving his owners a nice bonus in the form of a plus-2 rating on the night. Whitney is plus-8 on the year, and is a good bet to extend that favorable number as the season plays out.

Nov 15: Whitney was blanked in Wednesday's 2-1 win over the Rangers, snapping his five-game scoring string. He's a better than even-money bet to start another streak when the 'Canes take the ice again Friday night in Washington.

Nov 14: A sparkling early season continued on Monday for Whitney as he had a goal and an assist, a plus-2 rating and even six penalty minutes against the Sabres. Twenty-four points in 19 games make him a must-start, but don't expect a repetition of the crime time; his career high in penalty minutes over a season is just 42.

Nov 12: Whitney pounded Pittsburgh goaltender Jocelyn Thibault with six shots on Saturday. One of those went in, and the 'Canes coasted to a 6-2 win. With Penguns skaters parading to the penalty box all night, Whitney managed nearly 12 minutes on the power play, so it's a wonder he didn't score more.

Nov 5: Whitney scored twice, including a game-winning power play goal midway through the third period of the Hurricanes' win at Ottawa on Saturday. He also assisted on Erik Cole's power play goal in the second frame, and thus played a role in all of Carolina's scoring on the night. He is emphatically one of the hottest players in the league, with nine points in his last four games.

Nov 2: Whitney followed up a plus-3 performance Wednesday with a minus-3 outing Thursday night in a 4-0 loss. Not surprisingly he has an even rating for the season. With 16 points (3,13) in 14 games, Whitney is off to one of the best starts in his 15-year career. It's likely he'll cool off a bit but he could still average a point per game. Last year Whitney finished with 55 points in 63 contests.

Oct 21: Whitney continues to put up solid fantasy numbers; he bagged two assists on Friday against Buffalo, giving him the team lead with nine points in eight games. Only one of those points is a goal, so unless your league esteems assists equally, some of his value may not inure to your benefit. Nevertheless, he is fully engaged in the Hurricanes' offense, including the power play, and should continue to rack up points at a good clip as long as he's healthy.

Oct 13: Whitney scored the game-winning goal Friday with less than a half a second on the clock to give the Hurricanes its first win of the season. He took a whack at a pass and managed to tip it on a desperation play in the goalmouth. The Canes power play still sputtered, going 0-for-5, but expect the win to give the team's scorers some confidence. And that only spells good news for fantasy owners.

Oct 7: Whitney comfortably led the Hurricanes with over seven minutes of power play ice time on Friday against the Devils. Whitney's principal value has always been his passing, and if he stays on the top power play line, his fantasy owners will thrive on assists this year.

Oct 4: Whitney had two power-play assists in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Sabres on opening night Wednesday. Whitney is expected to find the skilled players on the Hurricanes and occasionally chip in a goal. This is something he has done successfully over his 16-year career. He has started this season off on the right skate and fantasy owners can expect more of the same as the season wears on, especially if he continues to see time with the team's elite skaters.

Oct 1: Whitney scored twice, both times at even strength, as Carolina beat Washington on Sunday. This was the Hurricanes' final preseason game, and coach Peter Laviolette paired Whitney on a dream line with Erik Cole and Eric Staal. The three forwards combined for nine points, which should get the attention of opposing coaches around the league.

Sep 29: Whitney appears to be the frontrunner to man the Canes' first line with Eric Staal and Erik Cole. Whitney's going to get a lot of points no matter what, but if he is paired with Staal and Cole, he could have a monster season barring injury.

Sep 22: Whitney scored two goals on six shots in the Hurricanes' preseason opener, a 5-4 loss to Nashville, on Friday. There is no reason to expect a significant dropoff in Whitney's production from last season. He is surrounded with talented players, and should mirror last season's levels of productivity.

Jun 6: Whitney scored two third period goals to bring Carolina back into Game 1 of the Stanley Cup finals -- the Oilers had led 3-0 at one point -- and Carolina went on to win, 5-4. One of the tallies came on the power play. Whitney now has 12 points in 18 playoff games. That's down a bit from his regular season scoring pace. He also has the most glaring home/road split in the league; all eight of his postseason goals have been scored in Raleigh.

May 23: Whitney scored twice in the second period -- once with a man advantage -- in Carolina's win over Buffalo on Monday. He now has seven points in 12 playoff games. His scoring pace is off from the regular season, in which he registered 55 points in 63 games. In fairness, he has been hobbled a bit by injuries, particularly during the second round series against New Jersey. He will still contribute to the potent Carolina attack, though not as steadily as before.

May 6: Whitney (groin) scored twice Saturday in Carolina's 6-0 romp over New Jersey. He was on the ice for 15:18 -- almost two full minutes more than his last game against Montreal. His groin injury seems to be holding up reasonably well. Watch for his ice time to continue to creep up slowly as the series progresses.

May 3: For the first time in the Hurricanes' series against Montreal, Whitney played some semblance of a full game on Tuesday. He was on the ice for 13:40 in 19 shifts, but did not figure in either Carolina goal. The enhanced workload is a positive indicator of his recovery from a groin strain. He didn't play at all in Game 1, and averaged under seven minutes per game in the next four. The 'Canes now get a few days off before hosting the Devils this weekend in the Round 2 opener.

Apr 28: Whitney (groin injury) played just five shifts in Carolina's 3-2 win in Game 4 of its series with Montreal. He did not figure in any of the scoring. Just over half of his 4:44 of ice time came on the power play. He clearly is not fit to play defense, and has just one point in the three games he's played in this series. He's averaging about six minutes per game on the ice in those games.

Apr 27: Whitney (groin injury) again saw light duty in Game 3 of Carolina's series against the Canadiens, playing just seven minutes in as many shifts. He did not figure in either of the Hurricanes' goals. Almost all of his ice time was on the power play. We sense that if he is going to return to his normal place in the lineup, it will probably be very late in this series, or (if the Hurricanes get that far) in the second round.

Apr 26: Whitney took part in an optional team practice on Tuesday. He hopes to be ready for regular duty in Wednesday's Game 3 in Montreal; he saw very limited playing time in Game 2 upon returning from a groin injury after missing seven games. Whitney is vital part of the Carolina scoring machine when it's humming. His absence from the lineup hampered the Hurricanes as they limped toward the playoffs, and his absence from Game 1 (and his constructive absence from Game 2, where he played just over six minutes) has cut into the team's overall playoff effectiveness.

Apr 25: Whitney hobbled onto the ice on Monday for Game 2 in Carolina's playoff series with Montreal. Despite feeling the effects of a lingering lower body injury, he scored a game-tying power play goal early in the third period. The Canadiens went on to win in double overtime. Whitney played just 6:29 in 11 shifts, so he clearly is not back to full health. Game 3 is Wednesday in Montreal, so he'll have one more day to recover before the 'Canes take the ice in a must-win situation. Our advice is to use someone else, assuming you have some flexibility.

Apr 24: Whitney has pronounced himself ready to return to the ice for Game 2 of the Hurricanes' playoff series against Montreal on Monday, according to the Montreal Gazette. He missed Game 1 with a groin injury. It was one thing for him to sit out several late-season games, but for him to miss a playoff game, it must have been quite an injury. Whitney's sense of urgency is probably driven in part by the Canadiens' 6-1 victory in the opener; the Hurricanes absolutely must get a win Monday. The prognosis is very poor for playoff teams who LEAVE their home building in an 0-2 hole.

Apr 23: Whitney (lower-body injury) was an injury scratch in Saturday's 6-1 loss to Montreal, according to the Herald Sun. It is unclear when Whitney will return. We will keep you informed. The Hurricanes could certainly use another veteran after the Canadiens pulled off the Game 1 upset.

Apr 21: Whitney (lower-body injury) will not be ready to play in Saturday's playoff game with the Canadiens, the News and Observer reports. Whitney didn't practice on Thursday and has not skated with the team since leaving a game against the Capitals on April 5.