Wings Sign Whitney to Four-Year Deal

The Detroit Red Wings moved to fill the hole left at center by Sergei Fedorov’s signing with Anaheim, coming to terms with free agent Ray Whitney. Detroit’s deal with Whitney is reportedly worth $12.5 million over four years.

Whitney was not resigned by the Columbus Blue Jackets after they moved to acquire Todd Marchant instead.

In two full seasons with the Blue Jackets, Whitney scored 45 goals and totaled 137 points. He joined the Blue Jackets at the March, 2001 trade deadline, when the Florida Panthers dealt him there. Whitney was drafted by the San Jose Sharks in 1991 and played with them until 1997.

It was in Florida that Whitney finally had breakout years, scoring 97 goals and 227 points in over three-and-a-half seasons.