Report: Penguins agree to terms with D Whitney

Jul 1, 2007 - 6:41 PM TORONTO (Ticker) -- The Pittsburgh Penguins took the first step toward keeping together their young nucleus Sunday, agreeing to terms with defenseman Ryan Whitney on a new contract, according to TSN of Canada.

Terms were not disclosed.

The 24-year-old Whitney, who became a restricted free agent earlier Sunday, recorded 14 goals and 45 assists in 81 games last season, his second in the league. He also appeared in the NHL YoungStars Game during the league's All-Star break in January.

Drafted fifth overall in 2002, Whitney made his NHL debut in 2005-06, notching six tallies and 38 points in 68 contests.

Whitney is one of the many young players that are helping make Pittsburgh one of the top teams in the league. The blue-liner, who underwent wrist surgery in April, joins Hart and Art Ross Trophy winner Sidney Crosby, Calder Trophy recipient Evgeni Malkin and Calder finalist Jordan Staal among the Penguins' corps of under-25 impact performers.