The Return of Dany Heatley Will Conjur a Mix of Emotions For Senators Fans

On Thursday, December 5th, when the Detroit Red Wings visit the Canadian Tire Centre, the Ottawa Senators will tip their caps to the greatest forward trio in franchise history.

For three seasons between 2005-08, the line combination of Dany Heatley – Jason Spezza – Daniel Alfredsson was the best in the National Hockey League. Dubbed the Pizza Line due to a promotional pizza slice giveaway when the team scored five or more goals, the three combined for an astonishing 340 goals and 498 assists, which included the only modern-day Senators trip to date the Stanley Cup Final in 2007.

While Alfredsson, a Hockey Hall of Famer, is recognized as the greatest Ottawa Senator of all and now serves as assistant coach with the team, and Spezza, the current Pittsburgh Penguins assistant general manager who left on somewhat good terms despite requesting a trade after completing his first season as team captain in 2013-14, Heatley caused waves with a trade request of his own during an exit meeting with general manager Bryan Murray at the conclusion of the 2008-09 campaign.

A polarizing figure, Heatley left the Senators as he arrived in a swirl of controversy, but during his time in Ottawa, no player was a more prolific goal-scorer over a four-year period (180).

Selected second overall by the Atlanta Thrashers in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, Heatley was acquired by the Senators in exchange for forward Marian Hossa and defenseman Greg deVries. Dealing with Hossa was a shock to the fanbase.  No sooner than inking a three-year, $18 million contract announced the morning of August 23, 2005, Hossa, a Senators’ fan favourite and cornerstone player, was sent to the Thrashers by GM John Muckler that same afternoon.

Hossa had asked for a large salary increase, which Muckler acquiesced to. However, it became abundantly clear that the Senators did not want to ante up in the long run.

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Thus, the 2002 Calder Trophy winner and 2003 All-Star Game MVP for his four goals and one assist performance arrived in Ottawa seeking a new start.

September 29, 2003, Heatley lost control of his Ferrari, hitting a wall after rounding a curve. His passenger, Thrashers teammate Dan Snyder was ejected from the vehicle and passed away from his injuries six days later. Heatley sustained a jaw fracture, concussion and a knee injury.

At age 22, Dany Heatley was charged with second-degree vehicular homicide and received three years probation due to the Snyder family’s passionate pleas during his sentencing. After the 2005 NHL lockout, “Heater” asked for a trade as too many memories surrounded him in Atlanta.

Shortly after the swap, “Heater” signed a three-year, $14.5M deal with the Senators.

While there was some trepidation from fans at first, Heatley did his best to get base on his side. And he did so on opening night in Toronto. “Alfie” tied the game late, and Heatley was credited with the Senators’ game-winning goal in the NHL’s first-ever shootout. He went on to register at least one point in the next 21 games.

Heatley’s 22-game points streak (17 goals, 21 assists) still stands as the benchmark for the franchise. The former University of Wisconsin Badger notched 50 goals. 103 points in that first season, the first Senator to hit the 50-goal plateau.

In 2006-07, Heatley followed up with a second 50-goal campaign, combined with a franchise record 105 points. That accomplishment is now widely recognized as 50 in ’07.

The trio of Heatley, Spezza, and Alfredsson each scored 22 points during the 2007 Playoffs en route to the Final, with Heatley and Spezza tying for the lead in assists (15).

At the conclusion of that ’07 season, Heatley signed a six-year, $45M contract extension. After only two seasons, Heatley stunned the team by requesting a trade. It was widely reported that one of the reasons cited was a shift to the second unit power play by then interim head coach Cory Clouston.

Understandably, this irked the organization and its fans, especially in the midst of a long-term deal. GM Bryan Murray, Alfredsson, and owner Eugene Melnyk are among those irate with Heatley.

Melnyk had good reason. Heatley was due a $4M bonus on July 1. Murray had a trade in place with the Edmonton Oilers on June 30. Forwards Andrew Cogliano, Dustin Penner, and defenseman Ladislav Smid were to become Ottawa Senators. However, Heatley’s contract contained a no-trade clause, and he kiboshed the swap.

The league felt the Senators had grounds to withhold Heatley’s $4M payment for refusing to go to Edmonton.

So, with no trade-in place, Dany Heatley went to the Senator’s training camp.

In this archived Ottawa Sun video, Postmedia reporter Bruce Garrioch caught up with then-Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson at the Bell Sensplex days before the opening of the 2009 training camp. Alfredsson voiced his displeasure regarding Heatley’s trade request: “There have been teams before where you have guys you don’t like. But when it comes to guys stepping on the ice, everybody must work to achieve the same goal.”

During camp, the enigmatic forward was sent to San Jose in exchange for forwards Milan Michalek and Jonathan Cheechoo and a 2010 second-round pick, which was later dealt to the New York Islanders at the trade deadline for defenseman Andy Sutton.

Melnyk eventually settled out of court with Dany Heatley for an undisclosed amount.

So now, fast-forward to the present. Currently working as a professional scout for the Philadelphia Flyers in the Western United States, Heatley will make his much-anticipated return to Ottawa a week Thursday.

How will Senators’ fans react? It will be interesting, but I suspect all will be forgiven with “Alfie” and “Spezz” standing by his side.

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