Heatley Whines About “Diminished Role”

Hockey fans couldn’t have been too surprised by what disgruntled Ottawa Senators forward, Dany Heatley, had to say when he addressed the reasons for his request to be traded.  “When I signed in Ottawa two years ago, I felt it was to be an integral part of the team,” Heatley said. “Over the last two years and more recently over the past year, I feel my role was diminished. This past season, it diminished a lot more.  This is a straight hockey decision. I have nothing against the fans of Ottawa, or the city of Ottawa. I would like the opportunity to go somewhere where I can play to the best of my capabilities and be the player that I can be.”

Of course, he’s not willing to let his disappointment keep him from playing if he gets no offers from other teams:  “I have a contract, and if I’m still a Senator at training camp time, I’ll be ready to go. But at the same time, I think we know that there are other teams out there that are interested, and hopefully something can get done.”

As you can imagine, it’s not easy to find teams who will be interested in both his high price and pissy attitude.  Sens GM, Bryan Murray, said: “I think (the Heatley camp) believed that I would present them with four teams who were willing to give Ottawa a package (for Heatley), and he could pick and choose from them.  That has not been the case by any means.  There are still a couple of teams that I’m talking to, but they are nowhere close to (offering) what I need to get back to protect this franchise.”

Talk about finding out that you’re less desirable than you think you are.  Heatley clearly believed that the offers would be coming in left and right and now it seems like his pride won’t let him back down.  I thought he was a complete idiot of turning down the Edmonton Oilers but he had an explanation for that too.  He said: “It has nothing to do with Edmonton.  It has everything to do with the options. To this date there has only been one option, and I know that there are other teams out there. I don’t feel I can make the right decision until there are a few options and I can make the right decision for my career.”

I think that Murray is just as irritated by Heatley’s actions as I am (and I’m sure many of you feel the same way) and it really puts the GM in a weird position – it’s not like he can force teams to make an offer for Heatley.  Murray went on to say:  “It’s been a frustrating time for us, trying to find a place for him. I heard him continue to say that he wants to be traded, and we will continue to work in that area.  I think if I can get one more deal that’s realistic for our team, then I can propose it to their side, and that would probably be the limit.”

Heatley said that he didn’t want any of this to go public since he loves the fans in Ottawa and thinks it’s a great city but the reality is that when you’ve signed a six-year, $45 million contract extension, a request for a trade is going to get leaked.

Again, I’d like to say that this was absolutely dumb on his part.  If a team is willing to pay you $7.5 million per season, it’s not because they want to see you warm the bench.  I’m sure they are just as frustrated since he just had his worst season in four years with 72 points (39 goals).  I don’t want anything bad to happen to him but I’d like to see him humbled and I’d also like to see him take a look in the mirror when he wonders why his role has suddenly diminished.

image: TSN