How Will Heatley Respond?

from Eric Duhatschek of the Globe and Mail, Let’s see how San Jose Sharks left winger Dany Heatley handles this delicious new career challenge. With the Sharks’ power play stuck in an early season slump, coach Todd McLellan bumped Heatley down to the No.?2 unit for last Saturday’s game against the New York Islanders. Predictably, the move to reunite last year’s top unit of Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Devin Setoguchi paid immediate dividends as the Sharks went an efficient 2-for-3 with the man advantage, with Thornton turning in a virtuoso performance. Heatley, remember, demanded a trade of out Ottawa last season after his role was “diminished” by Senators’ coach Cory Clouston, in part because he was shifted to the second power-play unit. Since pouting in his new NHL home is not a viable option, Heatley’s patience – and the ability to bite his tongue – will be put to its first test of the new season, as the Sharks’ six-game trip continues tonight in Manhattan, against the streaking New York Rangers.? continue for a few more nhl bits…