by Willard King

Created on: September 16, 2009   Last Updated: September 20, 2009

Senators Deal Disgruntled Winger Danny Heatley

Ottawa Senators General Manager Brian Murray looks to have made a fair deal for the high scoring disgruntled left winger Danny Heatley with the San Jose Sharks. The Senators make the move that not only clears the air in the locker room, but brings a fresh breath of air for Senator's fans all around.

The past few seasons the team has suffered from the distractions of the infamous Ray Emery and his shenanigans. The poorly timed news that was received from the Danny Heatley camp, announcing his desire for a trade out of Ottawa. Shocked not only teammates but media as well, just when it looked as though the team would have a normal training camp. Coming at a time when fans were excited over the Alex Kovalev signing. Heatley himself being in control of his own destination as his no trade clause makes this possible. Demanding a trade out of Ottawa earlier this summer, with only a few destinations that Heatley would agree to.

Making it harder for GM Brian Murray to get fair value for the highly sought after sniper, Heatley who also holds the title of 50 goal scorer on two of the last 3 seasons. Has a strong desire to be a focal point on any team, he will get the chance to play with stars like Joe Thornton, Rob Blake, Devin Setoguchi and a team with a goal tender to back them by the name of Evgeni Nabokov.

Jordon Cheechoo has revealed he is 100% healthy for the first time in three seasons. Cheechoo looks to show us what he can do when he is fully healthy, on the stat sheets he is an impressive player, let's hope he settles in quickly with his new line mates be it Jason Spezza and Alex Kovalev, or Daniel Alfredsson, it will be interesting who Coach Cory Clouston lines up. With the talent available in the dressing room it looks that there could be three solid offensive lines with strong defensive inclination. It has been years since the Senators could boast this amount of fire power, knock on wood the injury bug stays away from the Sens.

Senators Acquire:

- Milan Michalek -77 GP, 23 G, 34 A, 52 PIM
- Jonathan Cheechoo- RW 66 GP, 12 G, 17 A, 59 PIM
- 2nd round draft pick (2010)

San Jose Acquires:

- Danny Heatley LW - 82 GP, 39 G, 33 A, 88 PIM
- 5th round draft pick (2010)

So only time will tell which team got the better of the deal, Heatley is as close to money in the back as the Senators have had these past few seasons. Cheechoo has struggled and looks to make a favourable impression on his new team mates. Jordon Cheechoo's health had been a factor in the past, now a man out to restore his name to the top goal scorers list. Cheechoo who brings a strong game and a healthy attitude of a proven winning athlete to the dressing room. Will be a wait and see, but full of promise Jordan Cheechoo brings new life to the club. Along with ex-San Jose teammate Milan Michalek, the 24 yrs old 6'2 Czech native, was drafted 6th overall in the first round in 2003 Brings a gung-ho style of play that the Senators will try to corral.

Streaky in the past this young player has so much upside that the deal Murray made for the two players, plus the 2nd round draft pick looks to be a fair deal for each team. We should be in for an offensive treat from our Senators this season, and the new goaltender Pascal Leclaire has brought added hope for the team, who has been searching for a solid #1. The 26 yr old from Repentigny, Quebec looks forward to playing for his new team. The Senators have made some shrewd moves, the rest of the league will have to wait to see the results of the tinkering, waiting to see if the recipe for success has been found in Ottawa.

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