Ritters Rant: What's Up In The NHL?

Heatley talks heating up again, Blackhawks in hot water, Allaire—the savior of the Leafs and KHL—Payback is a ....

In another example of NHL executives succumbing to the wishes of their players, word has it that the Ottawa Senators are close to dealing disgruntled winger Dany “Me, myself and I” Heatley. The deal would involve the San Jose Sharks sending Ottawa a package of players that may include one time 50-goal scorer Jonathan Cheechoo and defenseman Christian Erhoff.

Reports suggest that the Montreal Canadiens may have to get involved in order to make the deal happen.

Just one question? Why is everybody busting their chops for Heatley? The Senators had a great deal in place, Heatley refused to waive his no-trade clause to go to Edmonton, which caused both the Edmonton Oilers and Senators a ton of embarrassment.

Look, Heatley is a talented player, the Senators need to get a decent return for the guy, but you don’t have to bow to his every wish. Heatley deserves to be sent to the KHL for his actions, never mind sending him to a classy organization like the Sharks.

More good news out of the NHL.

The 12-year, $62.8 million deal Marian Hossa signed with the Chicago Blackhawks is under investigation. Seems the NHL believes the deal and the contract circumvents the salary cap and the collective bargaining agreement. Funny, didn’t the NHL already approve this contract?

Who is running this League anyways? Oh yeah, Gary Bettman. Nevermind...

Details are a little sketchy, but it seems Vancouver Canucks forward Alex Burrows is in trouble with the law. Seems Burrows may have violently struck a Pond Hockey League goaltender in the face during a game in Kirkland, Quebec. Is there any positive news in the NHL right now?

Don’t get me started on the Gary Bettman/Jim Balsillie/Phoenix Coyotes situation!

Said it before and I’ll say it again, the best move Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke made this off-season was the hiring of legendary goaltending coach Francois Allaire.

Allaire, who tutored the likes of Patrick Roy, J.S. Giguere and Jonas Hiller, should be able to help Jonas “The Monster” Gustavsson adjust to the NHL and make a real assessment on one-time blue-chip prospect Justin Pogge. If Allaire can get Gustavsson, Pogge and starter Vesa Toskala headed in the right direction, suddenly the Leafs goaltending picture goes from doom and gloom to peaches in cream.

The NHL has been “Stealing” players form the European Leagues for decades.

Suddenly the KHL arrives on the scene, has the wherewithal to make a few signings and NHL teams get their panties in a knot. Last year the Nashville Predators felt the effects when they lost emerging star forward Alexander Radulov, this year it’s the Detroit Red Wings turn, who watched helplessly as up and comer Jiri Hudler signed a two-year, $10 million contract with the Moscow Dynamo.

What do you think? Is turnabout fair play, or do the NHL, KHL and IIHF need to sit down and hammer out a binding deal? Why do I get the feeling this whole situation might end up being one of those "Careful what you wish for, you just might get it," kind of deals?