Phoenix Coyotes Sign Ray Whitney, Add Scoring Punch to Offense

The Coyotes keep on wheelin' and dealin' during this free agency period. After re-signing Derek Morris and watching Zbynek Michalek sign with Pittsburgh, the Yotes responded while bolstering their offense. The newest member: left-winger Ray Whitney, 38, who spent the past five seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes. The deal is...

By Eric Smith

July 1, 2010

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "18478561",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "16759093",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759092",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759094",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        }
      ]

The Coyotes keep on wheelin' and dealin' during this free agency period.

After re-signing Derek Morris and watching Zbynek Michalek sign with Pittsburgh, the Yotes responded while bolstering their offense.

The newest member: left-winger Ray Whitney, 38, who spent the past five seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes. The deal is reportedly for two years and $6 million.

The Coyotes had the goaltending and defense to be a top Western Conference team. The only weakness was the offense (or lack thereof).

Although Whitney is on the tail-end of his career, he did score 21 goals while adding 37 helpers (58 total points) last season for the Hurricanes.

He will provide a much-needed boost to an offense that was stagnant at times last season.

But Whitney will also provide veteran leadership. The 18-year veteran won a Stanley Cup with Carolina in 2006, something the Coyotes hope Whitney can help them win.

Overall, this is a good signing for the Yotes. Whitney is a winner and still knowns how to find the back of the net.

KEEP NEW TIMES FREE... Since we started New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Phoenix, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.