What's the deal with Dany Heatley?

One intriguing storyline that has piqued my interest since early July is the drawn out saga involving Ottawa Senators veteran Dany Heatley. In a surprise move back in late June this 28 year-old who has played the last four seasons in the nation’s capital went public in requesting a trade. Apparently Heatley who is coming off a sub-par season of 72 points was not happy with his ice time and there were rumors that he wasn’t getting along with coach Cory Clouston who took over behind the Sens bench halfway through last season. “He’s obviously not used to a pressure game and being in exact spots where we want him to be,” Clouston said of the new system he brought in. Sometimes, it may look like he’s not skating when actually he’s trying to think a little more than react. Since demanding a trade various rumors were circulating that the two time 50 goal scorer who was drafted first round by the Atlanta Thrashers back in 2000 would go to either the Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers or the Edmonton Oilers. In early July Heatley infuriated management when he exercised his no-trade clause in his contract to veto a trade that would have sent him to the Oilers in exchange for some young talent in Dustin Penner, Andrew Cogliano and defenceman Ladislav Smid. As a result of not agreeing on the trade Ottawa owner Eugene Melnyk had to pay out a 4 million bonus clause that was in Heatley’s contract. After not accepting the trade I remember reading about a reporter who asked GM Bryan Murray where that leaves Heatley and his answer left me full of questions. Murray replied “Nowhere.” “He’s still an Ottawa Senator.” After hearing that reply and hearing how Murray would still expect Heatley to honor his long- term contract and report to camp, I couldn’t help but to wonder how he could ever return to Ottawa and face management and teammates? In sports there is that old saying of playing for the name on the front of the jersey and not the name on the back. In other words play and have pride for the organization while working as a team to become champions. Even though Heatley is a proven scorer with 180 over his four campaigns with Ottawa I wonder if that might be enough to spare him the wrath of angry fans or teammates who might be upset at him strongly wanting out.  Murray who is an experienced GM expressed some frustration when it comes to dealing with the Heatley saga. “They were very interested,” Murray said about Heatley and his agent when informed that there was discussion going on about a trade that could send him to Edmonton.

I also wonder what effect if any it might have on Penner, Cogliano and Smid after reading or hearing that they came very close to being traded. Even though odds are they will say it’s part of the business if asked about it but deep down inside I wonder if that might have a long- term effect in knowing that the Oilers were willing to trade you. It will be interesting to follow these story lines as they play out.