Danny Heatley Is Still Waiting To Be Traded! Can The Rangers Get Him!

(Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

It has been almost three months since Danny Heatley  announced that he wishes to be traded out of Ottawa . It has also been said that Heatley has changed his mind on numerous occasions and that he wanted to stay in Ottawa.  This is not the case.

Danny Heatley is still looking to be traded.  He rejected the option to be traded to Edmonton because he was under the impression that he would be reviewing his options with Brian Murray,  the General Manager for the Ottawa Senators.

Till this date there has only been one option presented to Danny , and that was the Edmonton Oilers.  All though GM Murray has talked to four different teams about Heatley , he feels only two teams are really serious about a trade.

Six out of the seven years played in the NHL. Danny Heatley has totaled over sixty seven point a season.  He has had back to back 50 goal seasons in  2005/06 and 2006/07.

The 6’4 221lb left winger is 28 years old and has not had any major injuries threw out his career.  Since traded to Ottawa his defense has improved greatly and his offense has been one of the best in the NHL. He is by far one of the elite left wingers in the league today and would be a great asset to any team.

At this point in time the New York Rangers have just around six million in cap room.  http://www.thehockeygm.com/nyr.html   Heatleys’ contract for this upcoming season is set at seven and half million.

As much as the Senators are trying to accommodate Heatleys’ wishes to be traded. I cannot see them just giving him away.  With the Rangers being around 1.5-2 million shy of cap room. Who can the Rangers trade that would spark an interest in Murray’s eye. 

Short on centers and a contract that only a fool would touch, that leaves out Chris Drury.  Wade Redden has been there already and I am sure even if you take away his contract, Ottawa  wouldn’t want him.  Brandon Dubinsky is as of right now  still unsigned. There has been no word on whether Brandon will accept playing for his qualifying offer which is just under 700 thousand.  It is believed that the Rangers and Dubinsky are still negotiating on a muti year deal. 

Ales Kotalik was brought in for the sole purpose to play on Chris Drury’s line.  With hopes the two former Sabres came find the chemistry they once had together.  Furthermore Ales will fit right in with Tortorellas’ strategy for this upcoming season.   So I doubt that Sather will be looking to trade Kotalik.

Ryan Callahan has shown some great potential last season as he scored twenty two goals on the season. The tough gritty Callahan will not be traded any time soon. Ryan provides defense and offense and is an animal when it comes to checking.  Although Heatley is a true sniper, the Rangers are looking towards the future and Ryan Callahan will be a part of it.

I cannot see a reasonable trade with Ottawa  for Heatley happening.  In order for the Rangers to trade for Heatley as well as give them enough room to work with and sign Dubinsky , the Rangers would have to trade a player or players whose salaries will be around 4 million.  Then the cap will be full again.  

Although Heatley is an awesome player, there is another player still out there ready to be snatched up .

Phil Kessel, who is a first line center or right winger and is more of a priority position then the LW Heatley .  He Is also more within the Rangers reach. The Rangers have shown interest in both players this off season.  The next few weeks should be very interesting regarding these two players .

If the Rangers acquire either one. There will be no question that they will be in the top five favorites to win the cup. With great scoring ability and KING HANK as the last line of defense.  How can’t they be?

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