Does Dany Heatley Know the Way to San Jose?

On the first day of training camp Ottawa Senators star Dany Heatley was finally granted his long awaited wish. Even though an argument can be made that Senators GM Bryan Murray didn’t get equal value in trading the two- time 50- goal scorer to the San Jose Sharks it was a deal that had to be made. After completing his fourth season in Ottawa Heatley who is coming off a sub-par season of 72 points expressed his desire, which was days later picked up by the media about his wish to leave Ottawa. In late June Heatley wasn’t exactly in management’s good books after using his no trade clause to reject a trade the Edmonton Oilers. When a few weeks ago veteran captain Daniel Alfredsson came out and said that Heatley owes the team an explanation of why he wants out, it became apparent along with what some other player’s said that with Heatley in the dressing room there could be some heavy tension. After drastically underachieving and missing the playoffs last season Murray whose team made it to the Stanley Cup finals in 2007 can’t afford a sluggish start to this season. As a result by trading Heatley for forwards Jonathan Cheechoo and Milan Michalek on Saturday harmony was brought in the Sens dressing room. “I’m excited obviously, I’m excited to be a Shark,” Heatley who is a former Atlanta Thrashers 2000 first round pick said. “I want to thank everyone in Ottawa, the organization, the fans, and the city. I had a great four years here (and) I’m happy to move on.” In return for Heatley and a fifth round pick the Sens received a 57- point scorer in Michalek and a 29- point scorer in Cheechoo. Approximately one week before camp Murray announced to the media that there was nothing going on in the trade front and that Heatley would in fact be reporting to the Sens camp. Apparently things changed on Friday as trade talks resumed with the Sharks. Negotiations continued into Saturday morning resulting into the much- anticipated trade that the 28 year-old was waiting for. “I talked to Dany (on Friday) and he was adamant that he wanted to be moved,” Murray said. “And we felt based on that, more than anything, that we should get the value that we could get for him and move on. What we care about are the guys that are in our room and we feel that this makes the core group know where they are going forward.” In mid-May Heatley who has 543 career points first voiced his wishes to be traded. His reasons had to do with diminished ice time, which included being moved from the first to the second power play unit under new coach Cory Clouston. Even though his reputation took a beating when he asked for a trade, Heatley believes that he did nothing wrong. “I don’t think I did anything wrong asking for a trade,” Heatley said. “I have my reasons for it. If people think differently of me that’s fine but I believe I did nothing wrong and I’m happy to move on.”