Ottawa Senators forward Dany Heatley has five years left on a contract that pays him $7.5 million a year. That's good money in a government town.
The Senator plays in one of the nicest cities in North America, one where hockey fans are committed, knowledgeable and supportive of their team. Heatley is recognized on the street, a mixed blessing, but something he probably dreamed of as a youngster. The Senators receive first-class treatment wherever they go in this city.
Heatley had a couple of 50-goal seasons, but recently his goal production has slipped a bit. The club didn't make the playoffs. So now the superstar is unhappy, and wants to waive his no-trade clause so he can perform elsewhere. Apparently he is not getting on so well with new coach Cory Clouston.
If a hockey player can't be happy in a topnotch organization like the Senators, playing in a state-of-the-art arena in a great Canadian city for tens of millions of dollars, can he be happy anywhere? Perhaps he feels that his lower goal production is a function of being in Ottawa, though it's hard to see how considering that he has one of the best play-making centres in the league, Jason Spezza, feeding his -- Heatley's -- quick-release shot.
Yes, the team has struggled. But Heatley was brought to Ottawa with the expectation that he would be a leader, and the role of a leader -- on a hockey team or any other kind of team -- is to confront and surmount challenges. It's unfortunate Heatley might not see it that way.
He's a huge talent, but the Senators don't need a player moping around for $7.5 million a year. If Heatley wants to leave, the Senators should oblige him.
I think it's time for him to go.
