The benefit of rumours is that they spark discussion, debate and deliberation (and alliteration, apparently). The latter is where I'm eventually going...
We all fear there's truth to this (rumoured) deal (for the sake of this, let's say it's a legit option) and immediately poo-poo it as awful. Correct? Stoll and Frolov (Stolov?) is not a reasonable return for Heatley. Correct. BUT, we're overlooking a key piece to this deal. Not only would we get Stolov, but perhaps more importantly we lose Heatley.
Like almost everyone else, I'm swallowing my early summer words and realizing he will likely suit up for Ottawa this year. I'm coming to terms with it and looking on the bright side. "This gives us two balances scoring lines!", "He can't dog it cause he's poised to make Team Canada", and the optimism goes on. But at the end of the day, I think about his presence in the room and how it'll affect the team, I think of the media/fans ripping him a new one, and the distraction that will cause to the team. These issues are inevitable poisons that will bring us down.
I hope I'm wrong. I hope Dany comes out and says "I was brainwashed. I'm sorry. My agents are fired and I'm donating half my salary to Ottawa Minor Hockey and CHEO. I love Ottawa, the fans, the SBP, Clouston, Beavertails and the Museum of Science and Tech. Alfie is my hero and the fans my inspiration. I'll win you the Cup."
But that ain't gonna happen.
So, the Stolov deal (now I kinda hope this deal is true just for the name) looks unfair on paper BUT could be extremely beneficial long term.
Put on your General Manager hat. If you were GM for a day, would you take a deal like this just to unload Heatley from the dressing room? Or is Heatley too important of a hockey player that you rather have him on opening day than a couple of second liners with one playoff series between the two?
Posts
10 comments:
I would do that trade in a heart beat...
not only does it get rid of a player who doesn't like the coach and who doesn't want to earn his spot.. why not get to guys who would thrive in our system and who battle every night?
would i make this trade if there wasn't so much drama around heatley... probably not, i would consider it if there were a top prospect and/or pick involved coming at it from a cap and depth move... i think if we could get those 2 players and a pick now BM would look pretty good as a gm when those players are pounding in the corners and putting pucks in the net... equalling more than what heatley could do on his own.
cont. (12:14)
the thing i like about those 2 players is they work for there goals and are very unpredictable.
I'm not going to lie, I do like heatley ( as a player ) and hope to see him score tons of goals for canada... but i want to see ottawa do well and for that to happen i think this trade gives us something we never had in terms of scoring depth.
Stoll is another Fisher - hard worker with no hands. Frolov doesn't work for his goals at all, he seriously disappears for nights at a time and we have enough of that now. Add to that the fact that he's only signed one more year and this could turn into the Havlat deal. Nice players short-term but they eventually leave and we're stuck with Josh Hennessy.
Heatley is a distraction, yes, but Manny never held back the BoSox. On the ice, they'll perform. Listen, nobody pitches the merit of off-ice camaraderie more than I do, but I'd rather have Heatley until he can get his trade value up. It is clear his value in the market has never been lower, so why not hold the asset until it rebounds? To me, that trumps the distraction.
I dont no why people are always comparing dany to manny and kobe...
basketball is a very individual "team" sport... teams win cuz they have guys like l james and kobe... never hurt manny cuz baseball is hardly a team sport he get to bat and he gets home runs and when he is playing he chases balls in the out field yes? and then throws it to the diamond... what team work...
with hockey you need stars and you need EVERYBODY to be on the same page to win there may be a few odd examples where a team can do well with an odd ball but on player distraction can ruin a team... heatley will play his but off til the olympics? yes he will if he is playing his game and not cloustons how does that help us? with heatley off this team and a good return like stoll/frolov + picks/propects our team can move forward and start to compete again...
its doesn't have to be that trade either... but something that can move us forward even if a deal like this could work out
frolov, clowe - ottawa
heatley, - san jose
marleau - kings
with picks and propects evening it all out....
very unlikely but something needs to be done...
this is not baseball...
lets go sens
I agree with Duff. I wouldn't move Heatley for those two.
Fisher is enough money on a guy who can't score. I've heard that Frolov has upside, but I've never really paid attention to him and will accept those who say that he has a reputation for vanishing. Somebody in a work meeting today said "he's more Hossa than Heatley", so for me that isn't such a good thing.
I say keep Heatley and say "too bad, here's your sweater, get out there and move your ass". At least for a while, he would have no choice and we would retain and build value. Then move him when the return is better. There is no upside in rushing things, except maybe to clean up the room.
Part of my point is that there's going to be huge public and media backlash against Heatley and this is what will hurt the team. Forget, for a sec, Heatley's relationship with his teammates. Let's say they kiss and make up. Great! But he can't kiss 20,000 fans + Garrioch every night. I believe this backlash will take it's toll not only on Heatley but the entire team.
So, do you trade him now if possible? Or do you wait til mid-November, when the team is not gelling, they're 8 games below 500 and the fans are going berserk?
I hope Dany comes to town and lights it up. I obviously do. But there's no guarantee. Do you risk it?
And let me be clear, I'm using the Kings-Sharks deal as a hypothetical example. Really the question is, would you trade Heatley for two average second liners with no playoff experience? Bad on paper, but good for the team?
To pynch: I stand by my last comment - take the risk and hopefully get a better reward. He personally has nowhere to go but up in value. The team, well, that is the risk and I think all things considered, they're more likely to play well WITH Heatley and the off-ice chaos than with Stoll and Frolov. Keep in mind that the beat writers will analyze whatever trade is made all season. Hey, Alex Frolov, Heatley scored a pair last night and you haven't scored in two weeks, what's the reason?'.
My point- there will be distractions regardless because of Heatley. Better the devil you know than the devil you don't.
Ah pynch... kissing Garrioch every night is just what Dany boy deserves ;-)
I went down to the golf club for a bit to find Bruce today (it is men's night), but I couldn't find him. I was dying to pick his brain.
If Heatley and the rest of the boyz work things out, and he works out things with Clouston, do you think fans will leave it alone?
Not a chance.
Fans are the ones calling him a "douchebag" and acting childish. But that is par for the course.
People are allowed to judge and spout off, because that is what fans do. especially when they do not need to be accountable, such as hiding behind an anonymous identity.
You can hear it the players voices when they speak to the media. Its no big deal, except having to a f*&&^&^&* answer the same god damn questions day in and day out. They don't have a problem with Heatley yet, but they have had to answer questions from the media daily about him.
I would be torqued as well if I had to do that everyday, no matter how much money I made.
KJ
Post a Comment