Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The Florida Panthers have recalled defenseman Ryan Whitney from their American Hockey League affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage.
With Alex Petrovic on injured reserve, the Panthers felt a need to call up Whitney as insurance. According to Twitter, it could be to give captain Ed Jovanovski a day off with games on back-to-back days.
On second thought Jovo could be getting a maintenance day off bec of back to backs. #FlaPanthers
— Harvey Fialkov (@hfialkov) March 23, 2014
Whitney, 31, was signed as a free agent this year and played in six games for the Panthers before being sent to the Ramage in the AHL. The former first round pick was once one of the young core of the Pittsburgh Penguins before being traded to the Anaheim Ducks in the Chris Kunitz trade.
In 480-career NHL games, Whitney has 50-goals and 259-points and has a career minus-30 rating. He had a career high 14-goals and 45-assists in his second NHL season. In 40-games with the Rampage, Whitney has recorded six goals and 20-points and sports a minus-13 rating.
With the corresponding move, the Panthers have sent Quinton Howden back to the AHL. Howden has played well of late, so this isn’t likely to be permanent.
#FlaPanthers sending Quinton Howden back to AHL San Antonio
— George Richards (@GeorgeRichards) March 23, 2014
Update: The Howden move was to make room for Sean Bergenheim, who returned to the lineup
The Panthers take on the Anaheim Ducks tonight, Whitney’s former team. Follow The Rat Trick on Twitter @FANSIDEDTHERAT and follow me @AMurphyTRT.