Today was a busy day as the fallout from yesterday's breaking news started to soothe in. I've been told by multiple sources that Bryan Murray is already starting to talk to other teams for the servcies of Dany Heatley. Heatley has requested that he be traded to a team in the Western Conference, though I think teams like Pittsburgh and Boston may be in the market for a big, scoring winger. However, the main frontrunners are all from the West, and really aren't all that surprising.
As mentioned a couple of posts ago, the Avalanche had interest in Heatley before he requested a trade and still have interest. The return package seems the same, with Murray possible trying to convince them to take Alex Auld. If both of them are put into a package and sent to Colorado, I hear Wojtek Wolski as the main component coming back, along with the 3rd overall pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft and a low-level prospect. I think this is the best possible trade for Murray and the Sens, getting a top-6 forward in Wolski, a pick that will most likely used to get Matt Duchene, the most complete forward of the Draft. The prsopect is also a nice addition for Binghamton and Elmira.
Another team on the trails for the Heater are the Los Angeles Kings. The Kings first showed interest for Jason Spezza this season and rumors continued a couple of weeks ago, but it looks like they're after another Sen. In return I would expect Alex Frolov, Jack Johnson, and a 2nd round pick. Frolov is another great top-6 forward, Jack Johnson provides defensive and offensive depth, while the pick gets them a solid prospect. While I think this would be agreat trade for Ottawa, Los Angeles would get shafted on this one. Frolov was 5 goals removed from a 39-goal season, which Heatley had. Jack Johnson is a promising blue chip prospect who hasn't been given a chance by the Kings to play his game. However, as the same with Colorado, Heatley would like to go to a Stanley Cup contender and Los Angeles doesn't appear to be one for now.
And finally, we go up North and visit the perennial Stanley Cup contenders in the San Jose Sharks. The Sharks need a big change in their team. Everyone iso n the bloc kexcept Dan Boyle and Joe Thornton. Heatley would be the goal scoring winger Thornton needs on his line. I'm sure in return Patrick Marleau would be part of the package and prospect Mike Moore. I tihnk Heatley would love to go to San Jose because they are Cup Contenders and he with Thornton would be just sick. I really think San Jose is trying to get Heatley however you know Murray, he'll try to get the most he can before Heatley's stock drops dramatically. Good ol' times, eh?
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I like the avs option the most, as long as that's the deal, I do not want to see smyth in a sens jersey. Should be a very interesting 2 weeks.
The team that gets Heatley will be one that needs more goals, that has the cap space to take on Heatley’s contract, and that can offer a top-6 player or top 2 defender + some other assets in return. Immediately LA, Edmonton and Colorado stand out. Vancouver is also possible, but with the Sedin twins to be resigned, they may not want to take on Heater’s contract. If however Mike Gillis could make this work, they would be an unstoppable force next year. I won’t venture a trade scenario though, too many variables.
To LA: Heatley and CBJ/OTT 2nd round pick
To Ott: Frolov, Jack Johnson, LA 1st round pick
With Frolov signed for only one more year, and Johnson soon to be an RFA, I’d like to see an additional exchange of draft picks favouring the Sens. The Kings didn’t have anyone who scored more than 66 points last year, and Frolov was their leading scorer with 32 goals. To compete in the West, they need at least one point per game player who will score around 50, and Heatley could easily do so playing with Kopitar and Brown. Plus he’ll be on the first PP line. I can see the following working out for both teams. The trade is close enough to a wash on salaries that they could afford add a bona fide number 1 goaltender (Giguere, Khabibulin), transforming them into a contender.
To EDM: Heatley and Christoph Schubert (who would play as a forward)
To OTT: Sam Gagner / Andrew Cogliano, Tom Gilbert, and Jordan Eberle.
The Oilers have been looking for a bona fide goal scorer to play with Hemsky for ages. Their top scorer was Hemsky with 66 pts, and Hemsky & Souray scored 23 goals. They need an elite goal scorer to play with Hemsky and Horcoff so they can compete in the Western Conference. They also have good young talent in their top 6, as well as assets on defense that they can move without jeopardizing their ability to compete. Again, if they can get a bona fide number 1 goaltender, could really compete.
Finally, Colorado needs goals in a bad way, and needs to turn their franchise around. Initially, I figured they would be front runners, after reading that rumour on sensbuzz. But now, I just don’t know who they could offer in return without gutting their lineup. Plus Heatley has a list of teams he won't accept a trade with, and I suspect Colorado will be on that list seeing as their team is weak. Finally, Wolski only scored 14 goals last year, and we’ve got enough under-performing players on the Sens already, thanks. As much as Matt Duchene offers, he won't be ready to play in the NHL for at least a year, more likely two or three. Given the pressure on BM to compete next season, I think he'll favour deals that strengthen the lineup now.
Getzlaf and Heatley tore it up at the Worlds. If they can move Giguere (say to Edmonton) and don’t resign Todd Marchant, they will have the cap space to ice Perry(moved to LW), Getzlaf and Heatley as their top line, with Bobby Ryan, Teemu Selanne and Andrew Ebbet as their second line. Damn fine team if you ask me. Who would they give back? No idea. What could Edmonton offer? Young players & prospects. What would the Sens get? Probably those young players & prospects from Edmonton, along with something from the Ducks so that no one is over the cap, and Ottawa doesn’t have another gaping hole in their top 6. This would prime Ottawa to make at least one big signing in the free agent market, maybe two.
A complicated scenario to be sure, and the only way I can see Anaheim making this deal and coming out stronger. Heatley goes to a sure contender in the west (even better if Niedermeyer resigns), so he's happy. This deal works for all three teams, though I don't really know exactly what Ottawa gets to make it fair. Any thoughts?
One thing about this affair is clear: gifted pure goal scorers are quite rare, and Heatley is certainly one of them. He's under contract for a while, and that contract is good value for at least the next 4 years. I doubt that BM will get snowed for some kind of chintzy pick & prospect deal.