Bryan Murray Vs Dany Heatley: Who Blinks First?

wprager wrote:Yet another article, this one from Brennan:
Sens GM has demands
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/Ottawa/2009/06/17/9824901-sun.html

It's mostly the same stuff we'd already read, but I noticed one minor point. Murray asked the agent for a letter expressing Heatley's intent to be treaded, because he didn't want to be in the same situation as with Corvo. Apparently Corvo asked to be traded, but after the trade came out and said that he never asked for a trade.

Also, Murray is saying he will take the best player available in the draft, so long as it's not a GM. I can just imagine BM saying that with not even a flicker of a smile. His sense of humor is as dry as Hawkeye's dream martini -- (probably paraphrasing a bit) "A veritable desert of a martini. A drink that is dying of thirst."

You can see the video interview on TSN.ca...

If Bryan Murray does not satisfy Heatley's wishes, could Dany bolt to Russia and the KHL?

After all, he played for Ak-Bars Kazan during the lockout; and the KHL certainly has plenty of petrodollars to make it attractive.

I did some research on this and came up with the Alexander Radulov case as a precedent (source: Wikipedia)

On July 11, 2008, it was announced that although Radulov was still under contract with the Nashville Predators for one more season, he had signed a three-year deal with Salavat Yulaev Ufa of the Kontinental Hockey League. Radulov had previously notified the Predators organization of his desire to play in Russia, stating that he was being offered better conditions.

Immediately after the announcement, the Predators, NHL and IIHF all released statements emphasizing that Radulov's contract obligated him to the Predators through the 2008–09 season and that signing with a team in Russia was a direct violation of an agreement made the previous day between the NHL and all international hockey leagues to respect players' existing contracts.

After the IIHF ordered that Ufa void Radulov's contract, Ilya Kochevrin, vice-president of the KHL, argued that Radulov was signed on July 5, before the agreement was made on July 10.

While the contract remains disputed, the IIHF suspended Radulov from international play on July 18, as investigations continue.

After giving Radulov a September 1 deadline to notify his intentions to return to Nashville, the Predators suspended him, on September 2, without pay for the 2008–09 season.

---

The Radulov case raises some intriguing questions.

While many have the misconception that going to Russia is an unmitigated recipe for hardship, it is quite the opposite, especially for the very rich.

Speaking from first hand observation, and experience dealing with the elite in Russia, I can say the amenities they enjoy would be the envy of anyone.

It's no coincidence that Roman Abramovitch, the Russian tycoon, has just ordered the largest and most expensive private yacht ever built.

The KHL could make life very, very comfortable for a superstar like Dany Heatley, including a fabulous country estate just outside of Moscow complete with servants and bodyguards; access to roads where he can drive as fast as he wants with a police escort courtesy of the KHL and the Kremlin; a posh apartment in Monaco; a vacation home in the Greek Isles; and all the beautiful girls he could dream of...as well as tax free dollars invested by some very clever money managers.

Dany Heatley telling the NHL and the Senators to get stuffed? It would be an unequivocal statement. And after presumedly having banked some serious cash in his pro career, he may well be able to afford to.

A coup for KHL boss Aleskandr Medvedev? And how.

A scenario that will happen? Impossible to say.

But a possible development in the situation? It remains to be seen.

You think Mr. Hollywood Dany Heatley would REALLY play in the KHL. I doubt it. If he does, enjoy your career over in Russia because at the end of the day, The Sens still own his rights and his Donkey.

Neely4Life wrote:You think Mr. Hollywood Dany Heatley would REALLY play in the KHL. I doubt it. If he does, enjoy your career over in Russia because at the end of the day, The Sens still own his rights and his Donkey.

Who knows, Neely...who knows? Not you, not me...only Dany Heatley.

I dont even think that re-tard knows.

davetherave wrote:

Neely4Life wrote:You think Mr. Hollywood Dany Heatley would REALLY play in the KHL. I doubt it. If he does, enjoy your career over in Russia because at the end of the day, The Sens still own his rights and his Donkey.

Who knows, Neely...who knows? Not you, not me...only Dany Heatley.

all he knows how to do is hide behind his agents after starting this mess.

davetherave wrote:

wprager wrote:Yet another article, this one from Brennan:
Sens GM has demands
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/Ottawa/2009/06/17/9824901-sun.html

It's mostly the same stuff we'd already read, but I noticed one minor point. Murray asked the agent for a letter expressing Heatley's intent to be treaded, because he didn't want to be in the same situation as with Corvo. Apparently Corvo asked to be traded, but after the trade came out and said that he never asked for a trade.

Also, Murray is saying he will take the best player available in the draft, so long as it's not a GM. I can just imagine BM saying that with not even a flicker of a smile. His sense of humor is as dry as Hawkeye's dream martini -- (probably paraphrasing a bit) "A veritable desert of a martini. A drink that is dying of thirst."

Excellent observations, Prager.

IMHO BM's demand for a letter from Heatley's agent was an excellent move, both from a legal perspective and a public relations perspective.

Both he and Melnyk have been put in very bad spot by Heatley. One can only sympathize with both of these men, considering their extraordinary generosity to Dany.

No matter which team one cheers for, one has also to sympathize with Sens fans here, who are some of the most ardent and loyal hockey enthusiasts in the NHL.

After all the support Dany Heatley got in Ottawa--and I saw how the crowd roared for him, every time I saw a game at SBP and sounds of "The Heat Is On" filled the arena--it appears that Dany gave both the Senators and their fans the royal shaft.

And what about all the kids who bought Heatley's book?

Sad days for hockey in Ottawa, for fans who deserve much, much better than this slap in the face from a spoiled superstar.

I'd love to see a picture of some kids burning a #15 t-shirt. Maybe someone could photoshop something.

Funny, just a day or so after the news broke I was picking the kids up from school and saw a kid in the schoolyard wearing a #15 t-shirt. Couldn't figure that one out.

He wrote a book? Why, oh why, would someone want to pay money for that? It's like when Lenny Dykstra wrote his memoirs. Lenny, here's a clue: No one cares!

I love the stance Murray has taken. This should score big points with the fans and organization.

Heatley probably still keep sin touch with Emery. Emery can fill him in on life in the KHL. I seriously doubt he gets anywhere near there.

I loved how Kulka put his Heatley jersey on ebidding for charity

GM Hockey Member Mark Christopher, who does the Sens blog for HB, had this to say about The Heatley Affair and 'Who Blinks First'...

AT THE SEN-TER OF THE HEATLEY WORLD
Mark Christopher, HockeyBuzz.com, June 16, 2009

First off I'm not going to comment on the Heater/Vinny/Johnson rumour Ek has posted, so please don't ask about it.

And sorry about the blog title, I was bored and wanted to write a clever title. I failed lol

But let's talk Heater.

First off, all these comments about Heater being a cancer in the locker room are unfounded.

None of his teammates have had anything bad to say about Heatley prior to his trade request, and as far as I've ever heard, he is a solid teammate and an all-around good guy in the locker room.

Also its hard to blame him for wanting out of Atlanta, it really had nothing to do with the team’s performance and all to do with the tragic accident involving himself and Dan Snyder.

Furthermore everyone needs to lay-off the Heatley-murderer comments. Snyder's family has forgiven Heatley and had asked everyone else to forgive him as well. Let it go.

I'm pissed that Heatley wants out, but let's dislike him for that, not for a horrible ACCIDENT.
-------------------------------------------

As for Heater trade talks.

First off - His $4 million bonus isn't going to be an issue for any team that seriously wants him.

Second - While he has a NMC, he isn't going to be as picky as everyone thinks he is. He doesn't want to end up with Ottawa in September, so all Murray needs to do is lay-out the offers he likes and basically tell Heater "pick one, or you’re a Sen next season.

As for the top-teams-

San Jose - The Sharks have called and have even pitched some names around, but Murray wants another 1st round pick in the '09 draft, something San Jose doesn't have. So unless Erhoff or Vlasic and one of Seto, Clowe, Pavelski are offer with a top prospect, San Jose will have to hope Heater isn't moved by draft day.

If Heater lasts past draft day, he will end up a Shark.

Edmonton - The Oilers have been after a Superstar for over a year. They have a plethora of pieces to offer for Heater, including the 10th pick in '09 draft.

Sportsnet has dismissed Edmonton acquiring Heater, because he may not want to be a Oiler. See what I wrote above.

If the Oil have the best offer, Heater will be an Oil. Heatley doesn't have as much pull in this trade as people are projecting.

L.A. - Like the Oil, L.A. has a plethora of pieces to offer and they have tons of cap-space to spend. Oh and they have the 5th pick, which equals MSP, the Swede scoring star.

It just comes down to whether or not Lombardi wants to offer up that 5th pick.

Those are the big 3, and I'd bet on L.A. as Heaters new home, everything just fits.

Heatley wants to go somewhere where he'll be top-dog, but he doesn't want the pressure of being top-dog........

L.A. needs a top-line scoring winger to play with Kopitar, and they have the cap-space and spare parts to move for that scoring winger.......

Dany Heatley meet L.A.


Contact Mark Christopher: m_christopher@live.ca

I have this awful feeling that LA will not want to lose that 5th overall pick. Not unless it's a 1 for 1 or similarly one-sided deal. What else does LA need that we could throw in? A checking center, arguably the "smartest" player int he NHL? A tall, lanky defenseman, a first rounder with lots of potential (and little else)? A solid backup with only a year left on his contract? A defensive defenseman (who may or may not play this year)?

I'd love to have the #5 pick *and* the cap space, but I want a pick, a prospect and someone who could score 25-30 goals on our top line, or someone who could score 20-25 on our second. Is that too much to ask?

wprager wrote:I'd love to have the #5 pick *and* the cap space, but I want a pick, a prospect and someone who could score 25-30 goals on our top line, or someone who could score 20-25 on our second. Is that too much to ask?

I think all that *and* the cap space will be tough to come by... we're gonna have to take some salary back. How much is the question.

I'm ok with taking salary back, as long as it's not wasted salary. I'm all for getting a player that can play, and isn't a waste of cap space. And especially one that tries. Ottawa is a forgiving place. I believe they hold effort over production. Case in point, Jason Spezza the past couple of seasons.

EDIT: I should elaborate. Not in the sense that Spezza is effort over production, rather it looks as though he doesn't put in the effort, even though he still produces. ON the other hand, Foligno before CLouston was still loved, and he didn't really produce. Or a player like Magnus Arvedsson, didn't really produce, but people loved him.

davetherave wrote:Toronto GM and former NHL VP Brian Burke weighed in on The Healtey Affair today while on NHL Live!, which is broadcast on the NHL TV network and XM Radio Network.

This report on the interview comes from TSN.

LEAFS' GM BURKE TORCHES HEATLEY, AGENTS FOR TRADE REQUEST
TSN.com, June 16, 2009

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke let it be known that the Leafs will not be in on the Dany Heatley sweepstakes, and he pulled no punches along the way.

In a phone interview with Deb Placey and Billy Jaffe on NHL Live! broadcast on the NHL network, Burke stated that the Leafs had no interest in the two-time 50 goal scorer, largely because of the way he has chosen to handle his trade request.

"We're not going to be in on that," Burke stated. "He's a good player but I have certain guidelines on how players ask for trades."

Despite being only one year into a six-year, $45 million contract extension, the 28-year old Heatley went public with a trade demand last week, claiming he was unhappy with his role on the team and his relationship with Sens' head coach Cory Clouston. Heatley, and his agents, J.P. Barry and Stacey McAlpine's actions did not sit well with Burke.

"When you have players come ask you for a trade, I tell the players 'don't finish that sentence,' because once you ask, I'm going to move you," Burke stated. "If a player wants out, you're darn right I'm going to move you. I'm not kissing anyone's Donkey to play in my town, so to hell with you, don't finish the sentence. My second rule is if I hear about this, you're not going anywhere."

While Burke stated that he has no problem with players requesting a trade, he was unhappy with Heatley's decision to go public with his request, thus making Senators' general manager Bryan Murray's chances of moving the sniper extremely difficult.

"For a player to pop off and say he wants out or leak it (to the media), in my mind you are now no longer interested in your team. If you've done that you've handicapped them, you've handcuffed your GM."

While Burke admitted that the Leafs planned to be very active in the off-season and had plenty of money and cap space at their disposal, the 2002 Calder Trophy winner would not be welcome in Toronto under his tenure.

"As long as you are on that team, you owe them to maximize the asset, and once you've taken that step, sorry I don't accept that."

Did Burke have the same morals and ethics when he traded for Pronger?

I know Burke is an intelligent man and agreat GM but he really bothers me at times, he talks out of both sides of his mouth.

No brainer here. Wait for the best deal. it also seems to be the overwhelming favourite choice in the poll.

Dean Brown is on the Fan 590 right now discussing the Heatley situation and he said he emailed Heatley right after hearing about this and asked what was up. Dean got a 1-line email from Heater telling him to talk to his Agents.

Heatley has clammed up and has gone into hiding...

shabbs wrote:Dean Brown is on the Fan 590 right now discussing the Heatley situation and he said he emailed Heatley right after hearing about this and asked what was up. Dean got a 1-line email from Heater telling him to talk to his Agents.

Heatley has clammed up and has gone into hiding...

Arsehole extraordinaire.