"He's baaacckk!

Edmonton Oilers defenceman Ryan Whitney, who has only played 65 minutes and 14 seconds during the last 11 months, will return to action Friday afternoon against the Minnesota Wild.

Whitney needed surgery on his right ankle after damaging a tendon on Dec. 28, 2010, against the Buffalo Sabres. He missed the first four regular-season games this season because the ankle wasn't quite ready. Then, he sprained his right knee against the Vancouver Canucks on Oct. 25.

"This is like making a trade. There's no cost to us except for T.D.'s (trainer T.D. Forss) time," said Oilers head coach Tom Renney. "This certainly will fortify our look. He's a pretty dynamic player.""