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Ian White gets healthy scratch from Red Wings, and isn’t happy about it

The good news for the Detroit Red Wings is that Brendan Smith and Kyle Quincey are both healthy enough to return to the lineup, which brings us to the bad news for Ian White.

The veteran defenseman will be a healthy scratch against the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday night, and he told the Detroit Free Press that it’s something he hadn’t anticipated:

"I am taken aback," White said after today's morning skate.

"I didn't see this coming. I feel like I'm playing the same way I've played the last seven years. I work as hard as I can every night. Maybe I don't have the stats this year that I've had in the past, but I feel I'm working hard and playing the same way I always have."

Winging It In Motown on why White will be in the press box this evening:

White managed to go -2 in Detroit's 8-3 victory over Vancouver on Sunday and hasn't been particularly strong as the "chasing" defender in the Red Wings' zone. Throw in some giveaways and a complete dearth of points lately and White may just need a chance to sit and get a message about what's expected of him.

The Red Wings have no less than eight defensemen in the mix at the moment, including White and fellow scratch Kent Huskins. With Carlo Colaiacovo due back until his next injury, the Red Wings would seem to have a bit of a log-jam on the blue line.

Which brings us to this bit of fun from Kevin Allen of USA Today:

There isn’t a general manager in hockey that does more recycling than Jim Rutherford (hence the Hurricanes’ logo?). Ian White had a stop in Carolina for 39 games, but more to the point: The Red Wings have defensemen and the Hurricanes need a veteran one.