POLL: Who Gets the 'A'?

SeawaySensFan wrote:No need. Your word is good enough for me.

SpezDispenser wrote:When I was in Switzerland to cover the world championship, I had a chance to speak to Heatley about the fan response he receives in Europe, especially in Switzerland, where he played briefly during the lockout. He is THE most admired Canadian player abroad ... at least he was on the recent worlds team. It's different in Ottawa. The "old guard," Heatley said, referring specifically to Alfredsson, Mike Fisher and Chris Phillips, own the town. He and Spezza hadn't been here long enough.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/sports/Scanley+Heater+wants+that+Clouston/1679901/story.html

SpezDispenser wrote:When I was in Switzerland to cover the world championship, I had a chance to speak to Heatley about the fan response he receives in Europe, especially in Switzerland, where he played briefly during the lockout. He is THE most admired Canadian player abroad ... at least he was on the recent worlds team. It's different in Ottawa. The "old guard," Heatley said, referring specifically to Alfredsson, Mike Fisher and Chris Phillips, own the town. He and Spezza hadn't been here long enough.

[url=http://www.ottawacitizen.com/sports/Scanley+Heater+wants+that+Clouston/1679901/story.html

Neely4Life wrote:

cash wrote:Let's be honest here, this team has two leaders: Alfie and Phillips.

After that, there isn't any one player that fits the description of what an assistant captain should be.

The answer, from my perspective, is no one.

It's just a letter.

Neely4Life wrote:At times. IMO its more important for the players who dont wear to look over and see who is.

SeawaySensFan wrote:

In that context, he's right though. When you're established as a fan favourite, with a little PR from the local rags and you have the "good in the community" tag added you can pretty much do no wrong.

That greedy bum Redden could walk on water here, for example, even months into what would be his last season in Ottawa.

cash wrote:

Neely4Life wrote:At times. IMO its more important for the players who dont wear to look over and see who is.

Exactly, and I don't want them looking over at someone who they shouldn't be looking up to. Until someone truly earns the 'A', I don't want anyone else wearing a letter than the two players that already do.

SpezDispenser wrote:

SeawaySensFan wrote:

In that context, he's right though. When you're established as a fan favourite, with a little PR from the local rags and you have the "good in the community" tag added you can pretty much do no wrong.

That greedy bum Redden could walk on water here, for example, even months into what would be his last season in Ottawa.

Although, in that context he sounds like a loser because Alfie, Phillips and even Fisher earned the respect of the Ottawa fans by playing their hearts out for more than 4 years.

How is Heatley ever going to earn the respect of fans when he keeps bailing on teams because he isn't the 'alpha male'?

shabbs wrote:

SpezDispenser wrote:When I was in Switzerland to cover the world championship, I had a chance to speak to Heatley about the fan response he receives in Europe, especially in Switzerland, where he played briefly during the lockout. He is THE most admired Canadian player abroad ... at least he was on the recent worlds team. It's different in Ottawa. The "old guard," Heatley said, referring specifically to Alfredsson, Mike Fisher and Chris Phillips, own the town. He and Spezza hadn't been here long enough.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/sports/Scanley+Heater+wants+that+Clouston/1679901/story.html

Man... it's like we're seeing a whole different Heatley... he gets demoted and then complains and ultimately asks to be traded.

Frig.

Prima Donna all the way...

See ya.

SeawaySensFan wrote:
In that context, he's right though. When you're established as a fan favourite, with a little PR from the local rags and you have the "good in the community" tag added you can pretty much do no wrong.

That greedy bum Redden could walk on water here, for example, even months into what would be his last season in Ottawa.

shabbs wrote:Man... it's like we're seeing a whole different Heatley... he gets demoted and then complains and ultimately asks to be traded.

Frig.

Prima Donna all the way...

See ya.

SpezDispenser wrote:

shabbs wrote:Man... it's like we're seeing a whole different Heatley... he gets demoted and then complains and ultimately asks to be traded.

Frig.

Prima Donna all the way...

See ya.

Oh yeah, this is not painting Dany Heatley in a good light at all. It's painting him as a Prima Donna loser.

SpezDispenser wrote:I'm voting for Spezza for several reasons:

He takes criticism and for the most part he doesn't let it get to him. He's upbeat, talks to the media and by all indications is starting to grow into a man. Also, Spezza's getting married this summer - and you cannot discount how much that means to the maturity of a young man.

Also, I think this might serve as a pretty serious wake up call to Spezza. I think he'll start to understand the urgency needed to play for a Canadian team - if he hasn't got it already. Under Clouston, Spezza was obviously a better player - and I think Clouston's a good enough teacher that we haven't even begun to see the impact he can have.

This is Spezza's team going forward - unless of course he decides that he also wants to be traded. He's the most talented player (perhaps behind Alfredsson) and like him or not - he wants to succeed.

It think the time has come to reward this guy for taking criticism at every turn and not letting it ruin him. Or babying out - like the older Dany Heatley.

Heatley was a joke as an alternate captain. An absolute joke. Spezza will not be, I can see it now, I think he'll be a team player and a team leader.

In fact, I think he already is.

Honourable mention to Mike Fisher. And to a lesser extent Filip Kuba. It was a close call for me.