The Heatley Saga: What's in store in the next 30 days?

SpezDispenser wrote:

cas wrote:
No no no... this is the problem... All you guys who think this is a possibility are missing the fact that the Sens with Heatley are going to be firmly entrenched in the playoff picture. In which case, they do not trade their highest payed, and possibly highest scoring, player just before the playoffs. Its the biggest 'Diddle you' to the rest of the players that they could possibly give.

In this scenario, they've overcome all the tension created by the trade request and have found a way to gel (enough to merit not trading Heatley LONG before the 3/4 mark of the season) and the fans have come to (partially) accept Heatley as one of their own again. Then, at the time when we should be loading up for a run, we trade down to a Michalek level player just to get some future assets?

Say goodbye to Ottawa being a destination for UFA's and current assets

The players would understand. Rest assured, it doesn't matter when it happens, when the right deal is finally put to Murray, Heatley's gone. He put himself before the team and the coach, and that's the cardinal sin in sports. There would be too much of a risk in waiting until summer if the right deal came along in February. Besides, Murray has stated since this began that he wasn't looking for scraps, he wants players would can contribute now and make a difference. So, take Michalek out and think of some combo that a team offers that makes us a better, deeper team going into the stretch - because that's what it'll take for Murray to do it.

He would know the risks involved and he'd handle it the way he is now - very well.

SpezDispenser wrote:

cas wrote:
No no no... this is the problem... All you guys who think this is a possibility are missing the fact that the Sens with Heatley are going to be firmly entrenched in the playoff picture. In which case, they do not trade their highest payed, and possibly highest scoring, player just before the playoffs. Its the biggest 'Diddle you' to the rest of the players that they could possibly give.

In this scenario, they've overcome all the tension created by the trade request and have found a way to gel (enough to merit not trading Heatley LONG before the 3/4 mark of the season) and the fans have come to (partially) accept Heatley as one of their own again. Then, at the time when we should be loading up for a run, we trade down to a Michalek level player just to get some future assets?

Say goodbye to Ottawa being a destination for UFA's and current assets

The players would understand. Rest assured, it doesn't matter when it happens, when the right deal is finally put to Murray, Heatley's gone. He put himself before the team and the coach, and that's the cardinal sin in sports. There would be too much of a risk in waiting until summer if the right deal came along in February. Besides, Murray has stated since this began that he wasn't looking for scraps, he wants players would can contribute now and make a difference. So, take Michalek out and think of some combo that a team offers that makes us a better, deeper team going into the stretch - because that's what it'll take for Murray to do it.

He would know the risks involved and he'd handle it the way he is now - very well.

SpezDispenser wrote:

Neely4Life wrote:Could you imagine the backlash come Feb/Mar if The Sens are on top of the division and they trade their 35-40 goal man for picks and prospects, HAHA, WOW... I might hang it up as a Sens fan right there. I cant stand Heatley and what he has done is gutless, but the fact remains if The Sens are right in it and look like they can go for a serious playoff run I would be furious if they screwed with what was working in season as would the players. Screw you fans, screw you Alfi, screw everyone.

It wouldn't be like that. Murray isn't dumb.

Neely4Life wrote:
Cas is bang on here. Hate to tell you that but you're out in left feild thinking if The Sens are running through The East that Heatley will get dealt if he is on the team. Once again, the logo is more important then the name on the back. The only possible reason you deal Dany Heatley in season is if things are so disfunctional early on things have to change.

If The Sens and Heatley go 2-3 rounds deep into the playoffs Heatley's value will be a lot higher and teams will probably clear space going into next season knowing he is available.

No chance Murray risks screwing up something that has the possibility of being a great season if all in well on the ice. Melnyk would probably fire him on the spot.

SpezDispenser wrote:

Neely4Life wrote:
Cas is bang on here. Hate to tell you that but you're out in left feild thinking if The Sens are running through The East that Heatley will get dealt if he is on the team. Once again, the logo is more important then the name on the back. The only possible reason you deal Dany Heatley in season is if things are so disfunctional early on things have to change.

If The Sens and Heatley go 2-3 rounds deep into the playoffs Heatley's value will be a lot higher and teams will probably clear space going into next season knowing he is available.

No chance Murray risks screwing up something that has the possibility of being a great season if all in well on the ice. Melnyk would probably fire him on the spot.

Running through the East? :^^^^: When did that become a possibility? If we're on top of the Conference, then that's a completely different story. If we're a fringe playoff team that could use an infusion of talent that could make us deeper, isn't that a completely different scenario?

SpezDispenser wrote:

Neely4Life wrote:
Cas is bang on here. Hate to tell you that but you're out in left feild thinking if The Sens are running through The East that Heatley will get dealt if he is on the team. Once again, the logo is more important then the name on the back. The only possible reason you deal Dany Heatley in season is if things are so disfunctional early on things have to change.

If The Sens and Heatley go 2-3 rounds deep into the playoffs Heatley's value will be a lot higher and teams will probably clear space going into next season knowing he is available.

No chance Murray risks screwing up something that has the possibility of being a great season if all in well on the ice. Melnyk would probably fire him on the spot.

Running through the East? :^^^^: When did that become a possibility? If we're on top of the Conference, then that's a completely different story. If we're a fringe playoff team that could use an infusion of talent that could make us deeper, isn't that a completely different scenario?

Neely4Life wrote:Cas dude, you are bang here, dont know what else to say.

Scenario A - Sens get off to a good start and everythign is good on the ice and things are clicking, Heatley doesnt go anywhere.

Scenario B - Sens struggle out of the gate (meaning a 500 start with their schedual) and Heatley gets dealt before X-mas. Murray wont watch the season go into the crapper for 3 months because Heatley is here.

Those are the only two real logical possibilities for The Sens.

Scenario C - Someone offers something that just cant be turned down and Murray has no choice. I would be heavy money against this though as you can basically elimiate anyone in The East who is in the playoff race.

cas wrote:
Absolutely it is, but what makes us (with Heatley) so much worse than the Bostons, Phillys, Pittsburghs, and Washingtons of the league? Say what you want about there being no pressure on us last season, but I watched every one of those games. They were a different team under Clouston and they were more than capable of competing with the best teams in the league.

...and this coming year, they're a better team :n:

cas wrote:

Neely4Life wrote:Cas dude, you are bang here, dont know what else to say.

Scenario A - Sens get off to a good start and everythign is good on the ice and things are clicking, Heatley doesnt go anywhere.

Scenario B - Sens struggle out of the gate (meaning a 500 start with their schedual) and Heatley gets dealt before X-mas. Murray wont watch the season go into the crapper for 3 months because Heatley is here.

Those are the only two real logical possibilities for The Sens.

Scenario C - Someone offers something that just cant be turned down and Murray has no choice. I would be heavy money against this though as you can basically elimiate anyone in The East who is in the playoff race.

I don't believe in scenario B. The very simple reason starts with O and ends with lympics. Say what you want about Heatley being a selfish prick, but trust me when I say that that selfish prick won't allow Canada's all time leading international goals/assists/points leader (himself) to not be a part of the Redeem team.

Given this, I also believe that scenario C is all the more likely...probably the most likely of the 3.

SpezDispenser wrote:If we're on fire, then I agree, you don't deal him. If we're a fringe playoff team and a team was offering something that could help now and in the future, I'm sure Murray wouldn't flinch.

I have hopes for this team as well, don't get me wrong for a second - and I hope you guys are right and we just can't afford to trade him at the deadline. Wait until summer because we're doing so well? Sounds good to me.

Neely4Life wrote:

SpezDispenser wrote:

Neely4Life wrote:
Cas is bang on here. Hate to tell you that but you're out in left feild thinking if The Sens are running through The East that Heatley will get dealt if he is on the team. Once again, the logo is more important then the name on the back. The only possible reason you deal Dany Heatley in season is if things are so disfunctional early on things have to change.

If The Sens and Heatley go 2-3 rounds deep into the playoffs Heatley's value will be a lot higher and teams will probably clear space going into next season knowing he is available.

No chance Murray risks screwing up something that has the possibility of being a great season if all in well on the ice. Melnyk would probably fire him on the spot.

Running through the East? :^^^^: When did that become a possibility? If we're on top of the Conference, then that's a completely different story. If we're a fringe playoff team that could use an infusion of talent that could make us deeper, isn't that a completely different scenario?

If Heatley/Alfi/Speza/Kovalev are our top 4 forwards with a decent defense (like we have now) and solid goaltending, what we have now, we can defently be on top of our division if the trend with Clouston continues. Good luck defending 2 scoring lines like that. Deal with Shannon/Fisher/Foligno as well on the 3rd line.

SpezDispenser wrote:

cas wrote:
Absolutely it is, but what makes us (with Heatley) so much worse than the Bostons, Phillys, Pittsburghs, and Washingtons of the league? Say what you want about there being no pressure on us last season, but I watched every one of those games. They were a different team under Clouston and they were more than capable of competing with the best teams in the league.

...and this coming year, they're a better team :n:

I actually don't disagree with you about most of this. I think if the right offer came along, Murray wouldn't hesitate, but that probably goes without saying.

As for the teams you listen, Chara, Timonnen, Gonchar and Green are what makes them so much better IMO.

SpezDispenser wrote:

cas wrote:
Absolutely it is, but what makes us (with Heatley) so much worse than the Bostons, Phillys, Pittsburghs, and Washingtons of the league? Say what you want about there being no pressure on us last season, but I watched every one of those games. They were a different team under Clouston and they were more than capable of competing with the best teams in the league.

...and this coming year, they're a better team :n:

I actually don't disagree with you about most of this. I think if the right offer came along, Murray wouldn't hesitate, but that probably goes without saying.

As for the teams you listen, Chara, Timonnen, Gonchar and Green are what makes them so much better IMO.

cas wrote:

Neely4Life wrote:

SpezDispenser wrote:

Neely4Life wrote:
Cas is bang on here. Hate to tell you that but you're out in left feild thinking if The Sens are running through The East that Heatley will get dealt if he is on the team. Once again, the logo is more important then the name on the back. The only possible reason you deal Dany Heatley in season is if things are so disfunctional early on things have to change.

If The Sens and Heatley go 2-3 rounds deep into the playoffs Heatley's value will be a lot higher and teams will probably clear space going into next season knowing he is available.

No chance Murray risks screwing up something that has the possibility of being a great season if all in well on the ice. Melnyk would probably fire him on the spot.

Running through the East? :^^^^: When did that become a possibility? If we're on top of the Conference, then that's a completely different story. If we're a fringe playoff team that could use an infusion of talent that could make us deeper, isn't that a completely different scenario?

If Heatley/Alfi/Speza/Kovalev are our top 4 forwards with a decent defense (like we have now) and solid goaltending, what we have now, we can defently be on top of our division if the trend with Clouston continues. Good luck defending 2 scoring lines like that. Deal with Shannon/Fisher/Foligno as well on the 3rd line.

Thats the right line of thinking. Keep FFS together and piece together the top 2 lines - It means giving Kelly top-6 minutes or Regin stepping up big time out of training camp Oh man how sweet that would be! I'm also of the opinion that Winch has a hell of a lot more offensive punch than we've seen, so I can see him in the top-6 (def top-9)

Top 9 of this:

Heatley-Spezza-Kovalev
Winchester-Regin/Kelly-Alfredsson
Foligno-Fisher-Shannon

...looks pretty good. You can literally take any player in each position and rotate them through lines and make it work. Thats actually a scary top-9 if they're clicking.