Could we be Interested in Heatley?
by Clint Clark on Jul 6, 2009 10:30 PM EDT
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I probably should check with Dany Heatley personally before I even attempt to write this article. He may veto this.
All kidding aside, our favorite blogger big Ek has rumored that we have interest in Canadian bad boy Dany Heatley. Any truth to this? Possibly. Grain of Salt. Note this was also reported by Senschirp who is a pretty solid source on all things Senators. http://www.senschirp.ca/ (in the Kovalev comments)
In July it is fun to play with these little ideas since there doesn't seem much else to do.
Edmonton had a deal in place for Penner, Cogliano, and Smid. In my opinion this is not an overwhelming package for a perennial all-star. However Heatley has quickly developed the prima-donna tag. Not a good one to have. This is his second location where he has requested a trade. He butted heads with the coach and probably sees the sinking Ottawa ship beginning to submerge. Not a bad time to leave. He completely screws over his teammates though.
Feasibility
We could definitely do this trade. It wouldn't even put a big chink in our armor. Here is my play:
Huselius (4.75 a year) + Modin (3.5) + Russell (.750) = 9 million
Why? Rather than give up Filatov or Brassard or Voracek. I'd deal Russell. Murray loves Russell. Since we have to include Russell or another top young player, I make Murray eat Modin for a year.
Dany Heatley has a contract signed for 5 more years: 8, 8, 8, 6, 5.
UPDATE: I've learned that we would only have to pay 4 million dollars for his services this year because he was already paid a 4 million dollar bonus. This would really change the fabric of my proposed deal.
We'd actually cut salary this year. Next year when Raffi is gone (Huse + Raffi = 7.5 million) Heatley is a 500K increase.
This trade is actually very feasible for us so it is not a surprise to see us pop up in a rumor. That and Howson and Murray obviously talk as evident with the Vermette-Pazzy deal and persistant Russell manlove from Murray. It is also feasible when you look at some of the blueliners that might be appealing from Ottawa. Kuba, Phillips, Volchenkov, Lee, Picard could all be interesting names for us.
Be sure Jackets fans that if we do make a big deal for a player like Heatley we will likely win. Howson will not give away any of our young players without getting a pretty nice deal.
Nash - Brassard - Heatley
Umberger - Vermette - Voracek
Chimera - Pahlsson - Filatov
Torres - Murray - Dorsett ............................not bad at all.
Do I want Heatley? That's a tough call. Of course there would be a honeymoon period. Of course this move could make us a Cup contender. If as I have proposed would I pay 2.75 million to upgrade from Heatley to Huselius... I probably would. Heatley is guarenteed offense and powerplay support. While I like Juice he was just a nice complimentary offensive player. I love the buy low though.
What do you think? Would you roll the dice on Heatley?
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From poster “MFRONE” on HFBoards…
Hitch was on The Big Show today and when asked about Heatley he had nothing but good things to say about him (has coached him at 4 different times). He said the whole potential trade to Edmonton was shocking because “it’s not the Dany Heatley I know”
This is interesting. It certainly makes sense on many levels. Hitch saw first hand the chemistry Nash and Heatley had last year at the World Championships. He knows what he’d be getting.
As you mention, we’d be SAVING money if we somehow included Modin. Even with just Huselius and Russell the increase in cap hit is minimal. We won’t be touching the cap anyway.
I’m curious as to what Scott Howson sees as the future for Filatov in Columbus. Long-term, is he going to be a top line player above Nash-Brassard-Voracek? I don’t think so, personally. It might make sense to trade him now while he’s a hot prospect, rather than wait until he’s a respectable 2nd liner that doesn’t seem to fit (think Zherdev, without the drama).
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Update
Heatley actually will only be paid 4 million dollars this year. I’d really consider adding Filatov to a deal. I don’t think there would be anyway they’d take Modin with Heatley at that salary.
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When I first heard about the proposal (and especially the idea that we’d be sending Filatov and Brass back), I really, really doubted it.
Reading this…mm. I will admit, this makes a fair bit more sense.
I’m still not sure if it’s a good idea, mind you, but it does make more sense.
not sure as well.
I’m torn. My thoughts…
I like Modin and his vet presence
I’m still getting used to Russell.
I was excited to see Huselius come to Columbus before last year.
Like Ryan31, i can’t get over the “potential” factor with Filatov.
Brass is absolutely OFF limits.
Tell me if this sounds reasonable, and if you think ottawa will go for it…Send Torres, Modin and Russell for Heatley then we bump Huselius down to line 2, Voracek to line 3, then Filatov down to 4 since we haven’t really seen what he can do in a full season…
Nash – Brassard – Heatley
Umberger – Vermette – Huselius
Chimera – Pahlsson – Voracek
Filatov – Murray – Dorsett
I think keeping Huselius will only keep our roster loaded from top to bottom. Plus, I like seeing him play as a compliment to Umberger and Vermette…
"be where you are when you're there"
by BLAZER_FAN_199 on Jul 7, 2009 9:13 AM EDT up reply actions
Here’s the problem… you’ve gotta give to get. Ottawa probably won’t want either of Modin or Torres, let alone both.
Including Huselius really helps the salaries and makes the difference negligible. And I hate to say, but his production has been going down in recent seasons. He’s a guy that could be replaced by a free agent next summer if necessary.
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I hear you – I know that you have to give to get. I’m just still not 100% convinced that Heatley is the guy we make the deal for. I’m actually less concerned about his talent or his salary – I’m thinking more about the cost of having him in the locker room. It seems like teams get 2-3 years of honeymoon with him, and then it starts to go downhill real fast.
I just think he’s unhappy that he’s still with Ottawa right now. If you were unhappy playing somewhere you weren’t appreciated, you would want out too right?
"be where you are when you're there"
by BLAZER_FAN_199 on Jul 7, 2009 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions
You're right
I didn’t take a good look at his stats until just now. And I know this doesn’t mean a whole lot, but lets say for arguments sake he doesn’t hit those 100+ posts he did throughout the year, and they go in, he probably would’ve lead the team in goals and 2nd in points (which he is already). I honestly think he was just a victim of circumstance. Maybe we sweeten the deal with a draft pick?
Either I just don’t like change or I’m being a pain in the butt, but I’m uneasy about dealing Huse.
"be where you are when you're there"
by BLAZER_FAN_199 on Jul 7, 2009 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions
Too many young guys BZ, agree
Filatov and Brass for Heatley would be a horrendous move by Howsen. Horrible idea. Don’t think that will ever happen. So your right there. Not ok with moving Filatov yet because we have yet to see what he can do in a full NHL year. If this was summer 2010 we might have a better idea. I thought we were going for a offensive-defensmen? Not a winger. Yes he will help. No denying that. But I see a bigger need on defense. Not many will take a aging, hurting Modin. So by all means ship him out if possible. Russel is a good guy, so I hate to see him go if this does happen. This blog along with Puck-rakers makes me wish hockey season was year around (at least in the U.S.)
This would also make the future of mostly Boll (my personal favorite player) and maybe Dorsett in question for the 4th line. We havent even figured out who might be up from the Crunch this season to contend for the 4th and maybe 3rd line positions. So many questions! Feel free to comment this. I know im missing something.
Here’s the thing.
If we are to trade Filatov… will his value be higher now, when he’s one of the top prospects not in the NHL full-time (yet), or in another year or two if we find out he’s not that great?
We could argue that point all day, but the bottom line is, Filatov has yet to prove much in the NHL, positive or negative. His hat trick was impressive, but an 82 game season in the NHL is a different beast. But my point is, you never know what the next year might bring for a player. If you have a deal that makes sense and makes your team better, you do it.
I absolutely adore Filatov, but if you can trade him for a sure thing (and Heatley is generally a “sure thing”), you do it.
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I can’t stress how much i hate hate hate the Brassard, Filatov, Huselius rumor. There is NO way Howson agrees to send Brassard and Filatov for one (maybe two). As i have posted on some of your other entries, I don’t agree at all with trading the future for a current fix. Especially if the future included in any trade is more than one of those players. I agree with Clint’s proposal for Heatley better than anything I’ve read on the internet. I hope this trade doesn’t happen at all personally, but if it does, take out Brassard and add Russel and it will make it 1% ok with me. But what do i know, I just sit around at night browsing hockey websites.
The rumors are generally stating it’s a combination of Brassard, Filatov and Huselius. Not all three. Filatov + Huselius is something I’d be comfortable with.
I would not trade Brassard in this deal, not at all. We’re better off standing pat than having a top line of Nash – (random rotating centers) – Heatley. Part of the impact of this deal would be having a top line that can roll for the next 5+ years. A long-term partner in crime for Nash.
I’m not sure I agree with your assessment that a deal for Heatley is throwing away the future in order for a quick fix. Heatley is a two-time 50 goal scorer (that’s more than Nash, and for less money). He’s also hit 100 points twice in the last 4 years. Heatley has 35 points in 34 playoff games. He’s been to the Stanley Cup finals. He has excellent chemistry with Nash. These are all facts. Everything surrounding Filatov is a projection. He may or may not reach those goals, it remains to be seen.
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Agree for the most part Andy. I read a lot about Heatley and his “drama queen” status that is following him around these days. But also read Hitchcocks comments posted by you earlier. So im a little torn. Thoughts on that Andy??? I do not take anything away from him being a great player. His stats prove that. No question. The chemistry is also a great point. No question. I misread the trade combination part, so im glad my heart is done skipping beats. As i said earlier, if this was summer 2010 it would be a lot easier to project Filatov’s value. So sure, throw Filatov in. For all our sake, I hope trading Filatov wouldn’t be a “Doug McLean” move looking back on it in a few years. I’m a sucker for young guys and their “potential.”
I didn’t hear Hitch’s comments, but I trust the quote was accurate. And I’ll trust Hitch’s words over what’s spinning out of control being reported all over the internet and by TSN. Heatley may just be really unhappy in Ottawa, and if that’s the case, and he’s just being honest with himself, I can’t blame him.
With how well he played under Hitch for Team Canada last year and along side Nash, I think there’d be a lot of mutual respect if he were to come to Columbus. It seems like this whole mess started mostly because he’s clashing with Clouston, the new coach in Ottawa.
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I should clarify my "I can’t blame him" comment. This certainly could be handled better. His silence on the subject actually seems to be hurting things, because there’s no "voice of reason" pointing out we’re really only hearing one side of the story.
As a team leader in Ottawa and one of the premier stars of the NHL, all parties should be handling this better. But it happens.
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Interesting. I will be happy when the season starts. Aaron reported that the schedule will be out next Wednesday the 15th. Look forward to planning my ticket purchases!
Same! I always print out the schedule on day one and start planning things around the upcoming year!
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HA
SO DO I!! awesome. i’m stoked for the schedule to come out…as weird as this sounds, its one of my favorite parts of the offseason…
"be where you are when you're there"
by BLAZER_FAN_199 on Jul 7, 2009 8:57 AM EDT up reply actions
haha its nice having a student id and using the rush program. saves us college kids a s*** ton of money. Hopefully we will see Ottawa on the home side. Will be good to see pazzy back in Columbus. Do you participate in the online chats Aaron does every so often?
No I don’t… always busy usually. I always read them as soon as they’re posted though.
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i too
would like to see pazzy back in town this year. maybe he’ll get a warm welcome?
"be where you are when you're there"
by BLAZER_FAN_199 on Jul 7, 2009 8:58 AM EDT up reply actions
Note this was also reported by Senschirp who is a pretty solid source on all things Senators. http://www.senschirp.ca/ (in the Kovalev comments)
Just an interesting note. There is a poll off to the right side that asks “Who is your least favorite Senator of all time?” Over half of the votes are for Heatley…no wonder this guy is pissed at Ottawa…
"be where you are when you're there"
Aaron Portzline on Twitter:
Dispatch: Heatley-to-Columbus rumors are a complete fabrication, 100 percent not true.
Come on! I just want a fun way to pass the time. Is it September yet?
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And to think, I was starting to come around on the idea. Thanks for ruining my day, Dispatch. Seriously, is it September yet?
"be where you are when you're there"
by BLAZER_FAN_199 on Jul 7, 2009 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Nashville just announced their pre-season schedule. The Jackets get to see the preds twice in pre-season play – first at the Sommet Center on the 18th, then at Nationwide on the 28th.
Hopefully we’ll see the CBJ pre-season schedule before they announce the regular season games next week.
….
Is it September yet?
That’s exactly what I said earlier.
I bet we’ll see Buffalo in the pre-season. Our club seems to have a good relationship with them. Probably a Chicago home and home, and one other game. Didn’t Howson say they were cutting back from 8 to 6 or something along those lines?
Here’s how bored I am, my guess:
at Nashville
at Chicago
Chicago
Nashville
Buffalo
at Ottawa
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Is there a reason
we play division rivals so much in the preseason?
"be where you are when you're there"
by BLAZER_FAN_199 on Jul 8, 2009 8:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Teams get to choose who they play for the pre-season. Probably to save on travel as well as familiarity/relationships with rival franchises.
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I am truly saddened to report
that no, it is not September yet. I will have the number to a good therapist available if anyone is interested. I know things like this can come as a shock to some people. Again, it is with a heavy heart I report this news. I hope and pray for the safety of us all.
"be where you are when you're there"
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