04/20/24
September 12, 2009
Heatley traded to Sharks : The Ottawa Senators have thrown disgruntled winger Dany Heatley to the Sharks. San Jose gave up Milan Michalek, Jonathan Cheechoo and a second-round pick for Heatley. Ottawa, which confirmed the deal Saturday, threw in a fifth-round pick on its side of the deal. The trade — on the opening day of training camp — ends a festering dispute that has overshadowed the Sens in recent months.
posted by tommytrump to hockey at 03:17 PM - 4 comments
This is a great deal for the Sharks. Heatley is weird and seemingly constantly uncomfortable, but he's way better than either of those guys. Plus the Sharks get to unload Cheechoo's bad contract. Michalek will contribute, but he's no gamebreaker, which Heatley has been. Man, he's had a strange career.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 05:30 PM on September 12, 2009
Cheechoo, 2 years at $3,000,000 per season.
Michalek 5 years at $4,330,333 per season.
Heatley 5 years at $7,500,000 per season.
Given that Cheechoo has produced before at this level, though not for a few years, it is possible that a change of scenery will do him a world of good.
posted by tommybiden at 06:20 PM on September 12, 2009
Cheechoo is the most recent BJ McDonald, good work to unload him though doing that a year ago would have been better still. Meanwhile, Heatley is one of the best, most consistent scorers in the game. Michalek should be a very good player.
Heatley will do better in San Jose where he can score tons on a decent team with great playmakers, play a big role without needing to be "a leader" , and be anonymous off the ice.
posted by rumple at 07:00 PM on September 12, 2009
Not sure what to think about that one. What the Sharks needed more than anything was some heart in the postseason. Heatley can score in spring, getting better than a point a game in his (limited) postseason career, but I'm not sure he's the character guy they need. I think it works out well for Ottawa, though. They get a gritty, experienced guy in Cheechoo, and a player with a tremendous upside in Michalek.