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

I would say reverse the during the season and deadline. Again, I dont see Murray waiting out the season if things get off to a slow start, Heatley will be gone before the season is a total loss.

cas wrote:

Neely4Life wrote:

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.

Just because Heatley might be playing well doesnt mean everyone around him will be, again, the distraction could be huge for other players, not just Heatley.

The biggest unknown in the NHL this year is an Ottawa team with Heatley on it. I think the possibility of The Sens finishing last is just as likely as them finishing 1st in their division. It's sink or swin IMO.

The reason I dont see Scenario C being a real possibility at the deadline is because no one will subtract from their team (at least what Murray would want) in the middle of the season.

True, but he has to be comfortable to play well and if there's tension around him day in, day out, then he won't be performing to that level.

I also don't think the players on this team are going to let this ruin their season. I really believe there is now FAR too much character in the dressing room to allow that to happen. Heatley will fall in line.

Just playing devils advocate to your conversation with N4L here, but what if the team plays poorly and it's not because of Heatley. In other words, let's say Heatley comes back into the room and is a model citizen, saying all the right things, playing hard and getting his points, and the team still sucks, then what?

hemlock wrote:Just playing devils advocate to your conversation with N4L here, but what if the team plays poorly and it's not because of Heatley. In other words, let's say Heatley comes back into the room and is a model citizen, saying all the right things, playing hard and getting his points, and the team still sucks, then what?

I don't know "what then"... I just don't see it happening. I don't see how it happens?

Anything short of a perfect start they will look to move Heatley ASAP if he is here come training camp.

cas wrote:

hemlock wrote:Just playing devils advocate to your conversation with N4L here, but what if the team plays poorly and it's not because of Heatley. In other words, let's say Heatley comes back into the room and is a model citizen, saying all the right things, playing hard and getting his points, and the team still sucks, then what?

I don't know "what then"... I just don't see it happening. I don't see how it happens?

It's unlikely I agree, but if he comes back, it's basically what he needs to do, for the benefit of himself and the team. He basically needs to come back and say "This isn't the best situation for either party, and all I can do is go out play hard and be a good teammate until it gets resolved" and then go out and do it. If he does that, his trade request will be facilitated quicker I believe. But it sure puts the Sens in a pickle should they find themselves struggling and Heatley isn't the root cause.

honestly guys i see foligno or shannon getting a chance at the top 2 lines before winchester.
i think it will look alot more like

heatley/spezza/kovalev
alfie/fisher/foligno or shannon
foligno or shannon/kelly/neil
ruuttu/bass/winchester
donavan

an honestly? i can't ait to see kovy, spezza and heatley play on a line together. it's gonna be nuts!
i'm pissed at heatley but i also hope the boo birds don't start when he scores. i'm sure he knows how the fans feel, no use making him feel like it doesn't matter wether he contributes or not.

If there is one thing that shouldnt happen with the forward lines, it's splitting up the FFS line. That line had more chemistry last year then the rest of the team put together. Alfi, Kovalev are tallented enough to get production out of lesser players, Fisher, FOligno, and Shannon are not but they produce together, leave it alone.

If our 2nd/3rd line can produce like they did last year, Ottawa is in good shape up front, with or without Heatley.

Neely4Life wrote:If there is one thing that shouldnt happen with the forward lines, it's splitting up the FFS line. That line had more chemistry last year then the rest of the team put together. Alfi, Kovalev are tallented enough to get production out of lesser players, Fisher, FOligno, and Shannon are not but they produce together, leave it alone.

If our 2nd/3rd line can produce like they did last year, Ottawa is in good shape up front, with or without Heatley.

wether it will or it should is 2 different things. the summer is a long time, who knows if there will be the same chemistry.

i know i expect more production from those 3 players individually, but that's me.
where does that put comrie if he's back?(as apperently he might be.)

Comrie will not be back in Ottawa, nor should he. Absolutly no spot for him in Ottawa and maybe not even the NHL.

As for the FFS line, I would be pretty surprised if they didnt start the season together.

Neely4Life wrote:Comrie will not be back in Ottawa, nor should he. Absolutly no spot for him in Ottawa and maybe not even the NHL.

As for the FFS line, I would be pretty surprised if they didnt start the season together.

i'd be willing to bet comrie will be back in the NHL. at a drastic pay drop mind you, but he'll be back. i don't mind comrie that much just rather not waste too much money on him.

I wouldnt waste any ice time on him that could be given to Regin or Bass if they crack the lineup.

If Comrie is back in the NHL he will be lucky and it will be close to league minimum on a 1 year deal. Basically any AHLer with offensive upside can provide what he does on a two way deal.

Bad shoulders, bad hip, bad off ice habits, he will be beyond fortunate to be in the NHL past his 30th birthday. Not even close to the player he once was, too slow, too small, to fragile.

Although I agree with the FFS line staying intact, I just don't see how we can manage with Kelly there. He was good for that brief stretch when everyone was hurt, but full time? Nervous. I want Regin to get a shot, but to put him as a line 2 center could be a mistake.

How much chemistry did Regin and Shannon have in Bingo? The same way you want the FFS line together, I want to see Fisher with Heatley and Kovalev. Big body, creating space, Kovalev can pass, so can Heatley - Fisher would be the guy who retrieves.

Put Foligno on Spezza's LW and keep Alfie with Spezza as they've had the 3rd best production of any NHL duo since the lockout. Regin centering Kelly and Shannon. Winchester centering Neil and Ruutu. Not sure what to do with Donovan or Schubert.

Foligno - Spezza - Alfredsson
Heatley - Fisher - Kovalev
Kelly - Regin - Shannon
Ruutu - Winchester - Neil

The natural talents of Spezza and Alfredsson, combined with the grit and net drive of Foligno would be fun to watch. Heatley with Kovalev centered by Fisher? Sounds fun. Line 3 should be fast and defensively responsible. Line 4 is crazy.

But, I trust Clouston to do what he feels is right of course.

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 think about the 15 to 20 game mark teams who have the pieces but are having problems scoring will come to Murray with an offer he cant say no too.

I see most of you here have given up on the idea of Heater getting traded this summer eh

Sens19 wrote:I see most of you here have given up on the idea of Heater getting traded this summer eh

I think it would be best to prepare for life with Heatley. And as some of the lineups attest to - it could be worse.

SpezDispenser wrote:

Sens19 wrote:I see most of you here have given up on the idea of Heater getting traded this summer eh

I think it would be best to prepare for life with Heatley. And as some of the lineups attest to - it could be worse.

Oh well, I guess it's better to be surprised than disappointed. But after all this whirlwind if an offseason it's hard to think it'll end this way

Meh, it seems like any deal now would be rushed. I'm almost inclined to want to wait until the deadline now. The talks will hit a fever pitch then when his salary for the remainder of the year is a fraction of what it is now. Teams will line up, and someone will meet Murray's price, which may have increased depending on Heatley's success this season.