Dany Heatley has a Fan in Alex Kovalev

With the Dany Heatley situation still in limbo Ottawa Senators GM Bryan Murray refuses to dismiss the notion that the disgruntled left winger who is a two time 50 goal scorer could in fact come back to play in Ottawa. This 28 year-old who is coming off a down season of only 72 points has angered Ottawa fans by demanding back in June to be traded and then exercising his no-trade clause when Murray had a deal worked out to send him to the Edmonton Oilers. On Monday when Murray introduced his prized free agent Alex Kovalev the veteran GM threw out an interesting idea. This notion was inserting Heatley who is in the middle of a long -term contract on the same line as 36 year-old Kovalev who is coming off a mediocre 65- point season. Kovalev who has electrified fans with his offensive prowess for four and a half years with the Montreal Canadiens, has expressed a desire to try and talk Heatley who he knows well into staying with Ottawa. “Definitely, with the player that he is, it would be nice to have him back,” Kovalev who played with Heatley in Russia during the 2004/05 lockout said. “He’s a great, talented guy on the ice and off the ice he would definitely help the Senators organization.” Being an eternal optimist Kovalev believes that the fractured relationship between Heatley who is a two time 50 goal scorer and the fans can be salvaged. “It’s up to you guys,” Kovalev said talking about the media. “If you make it more comfortable for him, then I’m sure he’d probably have no problem to stay.” This summer Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson has left phone messages for Heatley but hasn’t heard back. Some cautioned that signing Kovalev who won a Stanley Cup in 1994 with the New York Rangers could be a bad thing because he has had the reputation for being disruptive. That is something Kovalev strongly denies. “I’ve never had trouble with the coaches,” Kovalev said, “I wish I could change certain situations that I’ve had in my career. “Night after night I compete and I’ve made changes in my game…sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. I guess it’s up to me to bring them (fans) on my side. Hopefully, I’ll bring that little spark or whatever that this team is missing.” When it comes to the Heatley situation I think a lot more then a friendly phone call from Kovalev or even Alfredsson for that matter will make Heatley excited again to play for the Ottawa Senators.