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Healthy scratch Ryan Whitney: ‘They’re paying me a lot of money and I’m not playing’

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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Ryan Whitney is not a happy member of the Edmonton Oilers. The veteran defenseman will be a healthy scratch for the second straight game tonight against Dallas.

According to TSN’s Ryan Rishaug, Whitney won’t request a trade out of Edmonton, but he thinks one is possible.

“They’re paying me a lot of money and I’m not playing,” said Whitney, 29, who’s in the final year of a six-year, $24 million contract.

Whitney isn’t the only healthy veteran that will be sitting and watching tonight. Forward Ryan Smyth has also been scratched by Oilers head coach Ralph Krueger.

Smyth respectfully declined to speak to the media today. The 36-year-old took three minor penalties in Edmonton’s last game, a 3-1 victory over Columbus on Sunday.

“It’s extremely difficult,”
said Krueger on his decision to scratch Smyth. “But whether it’s popular or not is not the driving force.”

“As we get better as an organization, there will be players who don’t meet our expectations anymore.” - Krueger.

— Mark Spector Sports (@SportsnetSpec) February 12, 2013