Heatley trade demand screws over the Sens
Maybe loyalty doesn’t apply anymore in this NHL, or at least it doesn’t seem to for Dany Heatley.
Having demanded a trade from the Ottawa Senators last week, the 28-year-old wants a change of scenery, but he couldn’t have done it in a more offensive way.
The lack of backlash against the Sens forward is personally surprising, considering the man agreed to a six-year extension deal with Ottawa last offseason. If that’s not a signature of supposed loyalty, then what exactly is?
Sure, you can’t fully blame Heatley for wanting to bolt after one dismal season in the nation’s capital but he is putting Ottawa in a tough position. Why?
With the trade demand public, there is no chance the Senators will get the possible best return out of trading Heatley. Plus the fact that he gets to choose where he wants to go -with his no movement clause- limits the team even more.
The rumours are out that he does not want to go to Edmonton, even though the interest from the Oilers is there.
And to add insult to injury, moving a contract like Heatley’s is not only tough but close to crippling in this tight cap hockey world. The forward is set to make $8 million for the next three seasons before dropping down to $6 million and $5 million the two years after.
And there’s no guarantee that his numbers won’t drop, considering that it has for the past 3 seasons.
The team taking Heatley will be making a big change to their team, both roster-wise and salary-wise, which basically subtracts plenty of potential suitors. There might also be a chemistry problem if you put into consideration of Heatley’s mindset.
Unless GM Bryan Murray can pull off a stunning deal, the Senators are handcuffed into giving up Heatley for less then what he should be dealt for. One thing is for sure though, there will be boo’s at Scotiabank Place when Heatley makes a return in an opposing jersey.
He deserves it.
Heatley is obviously thinking about himself first, and not team first. But then again, in his mind, the Senators are not his team anymore.
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I don’t blame Heatley at all here. I personally blame the Senators and GM Bryan Murray fully over this and the struggles that the Sens have had in the past few seasons. The wait-and-see attitude that Murray has is not flying with Heatley and it shouldn’t fly with ownership and the fans in Ottawa. Everything negative has been made public, Emery being the prime example, and the Sens have been riding the status quo for the better part since they went to the Cup Finals. Since Murray isn’t going to go anytime soon, Heatley is likely fed up with it and I can’t blame him for not wanting to stay.
Just a response to the previous comment:
You have quite a few things wrong there bud:
- GM Bryan Murray has done one hell of a job with the Senators Organization. He has not only pulled this team through struggles but he has been an excellent face for the club.
- Heatley is not the entire organization, he is simply a member. Siding with him is pointless, he only cares about himself.
- Nothing should have to “fly” with a player. They do not decide the overall moves the club will make. They are just part of it, so putting Heatley on a pedestal is stupid. He’s not god, he’s just a player.
- The ownership of the Senators is outstanding and should indeed side with Murray 100%.
- THE FANS. Are you actually serious? If the fans had any problem with Murray it would be voiced.. loudly. But in fact, us Senators fans have brains and can actually see the good Murray has done for the club.
- Heatley is going to wish he was back in Ottawa the second he leaves when he realizes he can’t control of another coach.