Heatley gives list of teams he'd accept trade to

[gcom007 1,465]

Regarding another thread where someone asked if the Pens could be like the Oilers:

That is my opinion on the matter.

Good stuff. I hear what you're saying. It's tough these days. It's a very different league than it was in the 80's. Next year will be a telling year for the Pens. Do they become complacent and wind up like many Cup winners missing the playoffs or exiting early? Do they dig in and find the hunger to play 82 games and make another run? As you said, they've got the talent and depth to stay strong, but the mental battles aren't influenced so much by talent. Perhaps next year it's going to be Ovie's turn no matter what the Wings or Pens or whomever have to say about it. We'll see. At least you guys seem to have found a coach with a good head on his shoulders. That will help if the guys continue to pay attention. But generally, I'm definitely curious to see how the Penguins do next year in light of all this. They're the strongest team in the long-run besides Detroit to win a Cup in recent memory but the heat will be on. As many here will admit, this year, the Wings were in many ways lucky to get as far as they did. Sure, we were injured, but it's all part of the story.

[RedFX 48]

I'm not saying I think it'll happen, but this is the kind of shocking deal that I half-expect Holland to pull off at this point. I mean, think about last year. Before Saturday morning (I think it was...), the idea of us landing Hossa seemed absurd. Hell, even Holland wasn't even considering it. Hossa called them and made the deal happen!

But again, I'm not betting on it.

But honestly, if it happens, I'm most likely not going to be too upset. He's a force to be reckoned with and will only be better with guys like Lids, Dats and Z around to complement him.

Detroit is not like other cities and teams. It's a different environment here in every way and we've got enough character in the room to keep egos or issues in check. Every guy in the league knows the score with this team. If he wasn't willing to play by our rules, he wouldn't bother putting Detroit on his list. I think character issues aren't near the worry that some of you think they are. Furthermore, the Wings win a lot. When you're winning a lot, you tend to have less issues in general. I'm just saying...

Honestly, it would be the stupidest move Holland has ever made, which is exactly why it won't happen. Financially wise, Holland can land Hossa long-term with about a 4 million cap-hit. With Heatley, you'd take on about a 7.5 million cap-hit (which would put the Wings over the cap btw). On the ice, Hossa has better defensive skills, and his offensive skills are basically equal to Heatley's. Hossa became accepted and embraced by his teammates and the city and bought into the team system and philosophy. There have been questions of character issues with Heatley, and alot of GMs and players OPENLY said they lost respect for him when he made his trade demands public.

Also for the record. Anyone who thinks Ottawa would ship Heatley for the RIGHTS to Hossa is sadly, sadly, SADLY mistaken. Ottawa isn't going to ship out their best player to get "first dibs" on a free agent when there's no guarantee he'll stay. If Heatley goes, Ottawa will want Detroit's big guns (Franzen, Datysuk, Zetterberg, etc) and probably one of the best prospects (Larsson, McCollum, Kindl, Smith).

[gcom007 1,465]

Honestly, it would be the stupidest move Holland has ever made, which is exactly why it won't happen. Financially wise, Holland can land Hossa long-term with about a 4 million cap-hit. With Heatley, you'd take on about a 7.5 million cap-hit (which would put the Wings over the cap btw). On the ice, Hossa has better defensive skills, and his offensive skills are basically equal to Heatley's. Hossa became accepted and embraced by his teammates and the city and bought into the team system and philosophy. There have been questions of character issues with Heatley, and alot of GMs and players OPENLY said they lost respect for him when he made his trade demands public.

Also for the record. Anyone who thinks Ottawa would ship Heatley for the RIGHTS to Hossa is sadly, sadly, SADLY mistaken. Ottawa isn't going to ship out their best player to get "first dibs" on a free agent when there's no guarantee he'll stay. If Heatley goes, Ottawa will want Detroit's big guns (Franzen, Datysuk, Zetterberg, etc) and probably one of the best prospects (Larsson, McCollum, Kindl, Smith).

I mean, maybe it wouldn't be. Anytime you've got a guy with as much skill as Heatley, there's potential for it to be a descent move.

But..........................

That's about where my argument ends. In reality, I tend to fall where you're at on the matter. I'm just saying, if in some shocking move we land him, he puts in 50-60 goals (very possible on this team), has a huge playoffs and we win the Cup next year, are you really going to be saying that it was Hollands stupidest move?

Again, I hear everything you're saying and mostly agree, but some guys are worth being open-minded about. He's just a skater, not a goalie. A whack-job goalie is a lot scarier than a whack-job skater as the goalie is one guy who's at the center of the team in many ways.

[jeff48109 474]

what makes Heatley think the wings want him? :haha:

and why must we always bring up the pens?

[Doc Holiday 0]

Snazzy, Motown: Shut up. Your stupid remarks are going to drive away a decent level headed poster.

Who happens to be sporting an avatar of my favorite Penguin btw.

And Jeff: We bring up the Pens because we are jealous. They won the cup and we didn't. Plain and simple.

[RedFX 48]

I mean, maybe it wouldn't be. Anytime you've got a guy with as much skill as Heatley, there's potential for it to be a descent move.

But..........................

That's about where my argument ends. In reality, I tend to fall where you're at on the matter. I'm just saying, if in some shocking move we land him, he puts in 50-60 goals (very possible on this team), has a huge playoffs and we win the Cup next year, are you really going to be saying that it was Hollands stupidest move?

Again, I hear everything you're saying and mostly agree, but some guys are worth being open-minded about. He's just a skater, not a goalie. A whack-job goalie is a lot scarier than a whack-job skater as the goalie is one guy who's at the center of the team in many ways.

Well, true. I mean everyone questioned if the 2001-2002 team was going to work. Same about Hossa for that matter. In the cap era though, I just don't think we have either the money or the desire to take him. We already have a few guys who can put up 30-40 goals a year, EXCLUDING Hossa. Defensively, Heatley is a step down from Dats, Z, or Hoss.

[RedFX 48]

Thanks Det. #1 fan. A lot of that's my fault because I had a "WTF" moment earlier in the thread but should have just left it alone.

I really don't blame Heatley for wanting a trade at all. Look at Jarkko, the place made him lose his marbles for good and he started biting people.

Is it just me, or are there some severe internal problems going on in Ottawa? I always hear about stuff going on in practice between players or players and coaches. I remember even back during their Finals run where everyone was talking about stuff like that going on.

Maybe a factor in Heatley wanting out? Could also explain why Redden turned them down last summer.