Dany Heatley Side of the Story

Without question I would love to have the talent of a Dany Heatley on my team but it’s his attitude off the ice that is really beginning to rub me the wrong way. Over the years I’ve enjoyed watching him accomplish feats such as winning the Calder Trophy in 2002 when he scored 67 points with the Atlanta Thrashers and of course the following season when he dominated the All- Star Game and in the process was voted the game’s MVP. In 2003 Heatley who was a Thrashers first round pick in 2000 had his world turned upside down due to reckless speeding. Following a team event that September Heatley as all hockey fans will remember lost control of the wheel and badly smashed his car. This accident took the life of Heatley’s Thrasher’s teammate and best friend Dan Snyder who never recovered from his massive head injuries. Meanwhile Heatley was left with a torn ACL, MCL and a broken jaw. This young superstar was charged but managed to avoid jail time as a direct result of the support from Snyder’s parents who showed love and support for Heatley. After that difficult 2003/04 season I understood why and had no problem as a fan when Heatley who was being counted on to lead the Thrashers in the future requested a trade. He talked about how he was always reminded of the nightmare when he passed the area of the crash and that he wanted and needed a fresh start. Upon being traded to the Ottawa Senators it seemed like Heatley was happy and found peace. He was producing on the first line with Jason Spezza and captain Daniel Alfredsson. A few months after the Senators came within four wins of winning the Stanley Cup in 2007 Heatley happily agreed to a lucrative six- year deal. I have to say that I was very shocked when during this off-season this two time 50 goal scorer demanded a trade. This was a move that I didn’t understand and after hearing his press conference on Friday I’m still left with a lot of questions. The major issue that I had was when he expressed his disenchantment towards coach Cory Clouston who upon taking over on February 2 cut the veteran’s ice time. I can understand an athlete being upset about that but the struggling Senators began turning things around under Clouston and had a lot more success the rest of the way. It wasn’t like his ice time was drastically being reduced and I would think that Heatley who let’s face it is lucky to be playing hockey would be more of a team player and excited about how much better the Sens did during that two month run. “If that’s what it is, I think the coach and the player can resolve that issue fairly quickly,” Murray said. Reacting what Heatley said Murray wondered if perhaps his forward wants out due to the fact that the Senators have had two disappointing seasons after playing in the Stanley Cup finals. “We haven’t played that well over the last year, but being that he’s one of the highest paid guys on the team it’s is responsibility as much as anyone to make this team play better and have success,” Murray said. Currently Murray has spoken to three or four teams. “I told them if they’re not somewhat straightforward in the proposal in the next few days I have to, at some point in time, say Dany is going to come to training camp,” Murray said. What makes moving him so challenging is that Heatley is on the books for a 7.5 million dollar cap hit over the next five years. “He’s a high-paid player with a long term contract and for a team to get him they have to have space, and the list of team they have approved limits that to a degree. Time wise we could still do it but we have to prod a couple of teams to act fairly quickly.” Once again Heatley stressed that yes he would report to Ottawa’s training camp on September 12 if he hasn’t been moved.