It gets kind of ridiculous, though, when a prospect like Ilya Zubov starts making similar demands.  Apparently, the Russian-born is pissed because he got demoted to the AHL and feels he deserves a chance to play with the big boys.

“I’m not very happy about it. It’s not what I want. Both me and the Ottawa team (talked) and I might get traded soon” Zubov said.

It’s like an instant replay of last year when another Russian prospect, Alexander Nikulin, was eventually sent to the Phoenix Coyotes when he was mad about not making the Sens roster.  That didn’t work out so well, however, since he is now playing in Russia.  Sometimes, you’ve just gotta pay your dues…

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”I’m excited obviously, I’m excited to be a Shark,” Heatley said. ”I want to thank everyone in Ottawa, the organization, the fans, and the city. I had a great four years here (and) I’m happy to move on.”

Good.  I hope he finds what he’s looking for in San Jose so that we can put all of this Heatley drama behind us.  I think he could be a good fit with that team but you never know.

What do you think of Cheechoo and Michalek with Ottawa?  Both of them have spent their entire careers (seven and five seasons, respectively) with the Sharks so it will be interesting to see how they fit into a different organization.  This could be the boost the Sens really needed so I’d like to see them doing better this year.

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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.

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The latest news is that Heatley could end up going to the San Jose Sharks (Sens GM Bryan Murray brought this “option” up) if third team gets involved and some are saying it will be the Montreal Canadiens.  The Sharks are willing to ship Jonathan Cheechoo along with Christian Ehrhoff and a first-round selection but it’s unclear whether this is interesting enough for the Sens to consider.

A league executive is quoted as saying: “if the Sharks don’t have what the Senators want, then (GM) Doug Wilson might have to go get it from another team.  ‘The Senators want a proven scoring winger in return and that means you might have to get a third team involved.”

In order for this to work, the Sharks would have to acquire someone from the Habs (presumably) but the player would need to be of interest to Ottawa.  I just think this is too much effort to dump a disgruntled, ungrateful player like Heatley.  I hope it works out for the teams but I don’t give a rat’s ass what happens to Heatley at this point.

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Ottawa GM Bryan Murray seems to think so.  At a press conference yesterday, he said: "We can fit both of those guys on our team very nicely, maybe one on left and one on right wing.”

Kovalev also had some things to say: "Sometimes you see teams make changes and go through different players, so it’s understandable (they struggle).  This team, I was surprised with the players offensively and defensively they have, that they weren’t successful.  Hopefully, I’ll bring that little spark or whatever that this team is missing… Definitely, with the player that he is, it would be nice to have him back.  I know Dany a little bit from playing with him for Kazan in the lockout year. He’s a great, talented guy on the ice and off the ice and would definitely help the Senators organization and hopefully will continue to help the organization".

Talk about a Dr. Phil moment.  I feel like it’s time for a group hug and some healing, don’t you?  Apparently Heatley isn’t feeling as warm and fuzzy – he’s not even returning the calls of Sens captain, Daniel Alfredsson.  The drama continues…

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Why would a player who wants to leave his team so badly refuse an offer?  Because the Oilers weren’t on his “wish list.”  He told Ottawa General Manager Bryan Murray that he wanted to go to either any of the following teams: New York Rangers, San Jose, Boston, Vancouver, Los Angeles, Detroit, Calgary and Chicago.

I’m guessing he doesn’t realize that most of these teams don’t have room for him under the salary cap since he’s still got five years left on his contract which is worth $37.5 million.  That’s a lot to ask.

I agree with TSN’s Bob McKenzie – this thing could really get ugly.  I don’t know what the Sens are going to do with this since it’s almost a lose-lose situation for the team.  They will lose $4 million even if he leaves and, if he stays, he could be a liability if he’s genuinely unhappy.

What do you think of the Heatley situation?

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Where is Heatley in such a rush to go?  Apparently, he’s got his eyes on the Edmonton Oilers and other reports that I have read this morning mention that he might go to the Calgary Flames in exchange for Dion Phaneuf. 

I think he’d be a better fit in Edmonton than here in Calgary and, despite how Phaneuf has been playing lately, I’d hate to see him traded to Ottawa.

The 28-year-old was unhappy with last year’s coaching change and his reduction in ice time.

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