OTTAWA WANTS DUBINSKY/HEATLEY TRADE

According to ESPN news the Ottawa Senators want to trade Danny Heatley for Brandon Dubinsky.  The Rangers refused the trade!!!!

I am pretty much speechless on this one.  I can understand that the Rangers need a first line center. But we are not talking just your average hockey player here. We are talking about a player that has proven himself year after year, that he is one of the best left wingers in the NHL.

Brandon has not scored more than 14 goals in his two years with the Rangers.  I will not blame him there, taking into account that everyone on the team last year, with the exception of two players pretty much sucked.  At 23 years of age he is 6’1 200 lbs.   He is not a big guy but plays like he has the size of Donald Brashear.   If there is one thing I like about Brandon is his toughness and physical play.   

When it comes to controlling the puck, Brandon still needs a little work as well as developing his offensive awareness.  He is very predictable when he does control the puck.   He plays hard every game, and may have the potential to be a top center in his near future.  Is he at that point yet, no, he is far from.   Can it turn out that Dubinsky will progress no further in his career than the point he is at right now, Absolutely! We have seen this time and time again where high expectation for a player has turned into a total wash out.  I am not saying this is the case for Dubinsky and I do hope that that is not what happens.  But the chances are there.

Danny Heatley is 6’4 221lbs. He has speed, toughness, very good defensive ability, his offense is one of the best in the league, he can score from anywhere on the ice. He is a true sniper!  He has never scored less than 26 goals in a season and he did that in his first year.  Heatley is at his best and fully developed offensively as well as defensively.  At 28 years of age he is still young and the Rangers would attain him for the duration of his contract which is 4 more years.  { Marion Gaborik has 5 year contract}.need we say more?

When comparing the two players, this is a no brainer! Heatley has the experience. He has the size.  He is a better goal scorer and controls the puck just as good as anyone in the league today.  He had back to back 50 goal seasons, back to back 100plus point seasons.  He brings leadership and a drive for the cup like no other player. He has been to the playoffs in three consecutive years.  When you step back and look at line of players.  Which one looks better?  Dubs and Gaborik. OR Heatley and Gaborik.

Heatley is also the type of player that makes and helps other players around him better. Look what he did with Jason Spezza.  Dubinsky does not bring that ability, talent or experience.  

Marion Gaborik is a much better player the Daniel Alfredsson and Jason Spezza. Can you imagine Danny Heatley and Gaborik on the same line!

With this trade, the Rangers can use Propal as center on the first line, with Chris Drury on the second, Anisimov on the third and Boyle on the forth. Prospal would end up being on the first line anyway as the season progressed because Dubinsky is not ready for that spot yet. .

What in the world is Glen Sather thinking of.  Get rid of Dubs for HEATLEY! We are not talking about some average player who will score 15 or 20 goals. We are talking about a true superstar in the league who has proved himself year after years.  He has been consistent throughout his career and has only improved year after year. 

Dubinsky is not that good to fuss over.  He has not proven himself as goal scorer or as a defensive forward.  Yes he is tuff. Yes he fights and is very physical. But there is no way you can compare Dubinsky to Heatley.  That’s a dam insult!

This is a foolish and stupid decision on Glen Sather’s part. With the signing of Heatley they would have brought this team to top contentions for the cup. Without question!!!!  Does keeping Dubinsky do that for the Rangers? ABSOLUTLEY NOT!!!!!