The Penguins will be without defenseman Ryan Whitney until at least January. Whitney underwent surgery on his left foot Aug. 15 and is expected to miss between three and five months.

Whitney elected for surgery after consulting with three orthopedic specialists this summer -- each of whom originally advised more conservative treatment options. Whitney had the blessing of Penguins' management, which was informed of the severity of his injury only after the Stanley Cup final.

Whitney said he played all of last season, in which he recorded 40 points, on essentially one healthy leg. His injury, which he described as a growth deformity, dated to the 2007 postseason. Whitney treated the foot last season with help from team trainers and doctors, who advised that playing on the foot could not cause further damage.

Whitney, set to enter the second year of a six-year deal worth $24 million, is the second-leading scorer among Penguins' defenseman over the past three seasons, behind only Sergei Gonchar. Whitney is expected to make a full recovery.

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