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Trade Bait: Ryan Whitney

Chicago Black Hawks v Edmonton Oilers

EDMONTON, CANADA - NOVEMBER 17: Ryan Whitney #6 of the Edmonton Oilers warms up prior to the game against the Chicago Black Hawks on November 17, 2010 at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Dale MacMillan/Getty Images)

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The NHL’s trade deadline is Wednesday, April 3. Following is a player that may be moved. For more “Trade Bait,” click here.

Earlier this season, the Edmonton Oilers’ chances of trading offensive defenseman Ryan Whitney were probably slim-to-none. About a month ago, that still seemed to be the case.

It was pretty hard to comprehend a $4 million defenseman not being able to even make the lineup on a team that’s not even an obvious contender. Whitney admitted it several weeks ago, too.

“They’re paying me a lot of money and I’m not playing,” Whitney said.

The 30-year-old has made a better case for himself lately, even though he’s still an occasional healthy scratch for Edmonton. Whitney has scored five of his 10 points in the last six games, strengthening the argument that he can be a useful offensive threat.

Whitney told the Edmonton Journal that he was surprised by his latest scratch on Monday and he also understands that he might be auditioning for a new team starting tonight.

“Me being scratched last game probably means something, but I’m here and I want to play as well as I can for the team and myself,” Whitney said. “In their minds, I’m battling for that sixth spot and doing what I can. Hopefully, that changes here or somewhere else. I’d like to be confident I’ll play a lot wherever I am. We’ll see.”

Since signing his soon-to-expire six-year, $24 million deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins, he’s already been traded two times, so it’s not outrageous to wonder if it will happen again.

There haven’t been too many strong rumblings about potential suitors, however.