Heatley May Still Get To Exit Ottawa

((HT: Ottawa Sun/Bruce Garrioch))

Dany Heatley’s ((pictured, thanks Sun Media file)) quest to get out of Ottawa isn’t dead yet.

Senators GM Bryan Murray confirmed in an e-mail to Sun Media that he could have “an option” to move the disgruntled left winger, but with the clock ticking toward the opening of training camp Sept. 12 at Scotiabank Place, the club will have to move quickly.

Sources say the San Jose Sharks have more than a passing interest in the two-time 50-goal scorer, but if they’re going to make the deal, they might have to get a third team involved — possibly the Montreal Canadiens — because the Senators won’t accept what the Sharks have on the table.

The Senators don’t want anything to do with winger Jonathan Cheechoo, who has been offered as part of a package along with defenceman Christian Erhoff and a first-round selection.

The Sharks have never offered Patrick Marleau, who is only a year away from being an unrestricted free agent.

“If the Sharks don’t have what the Senators want, then (GM) Doug Wilson might have to go get it from another team,” said a league executive Saturday. “The Senators want a proven scoring winger in return and that means you might have to get a third team involved.”

A source said that a third team could be the Habs, but wasn’t sure what San Jose could acquire from Montreal to satisfy the Senators’ needs to deal Heatley.

It should be noted the Habs, Sharks and Senators are all up against the $56.8-million US salary cap.

“Every team has cap issues one way or another,” said a league executive

“It’s difficult for San Jose to take on Heatley’s salary (cap hit of $7.5 million a season over the next five years) and I’m sure that’s what is holding them back. This is a big gamble, especially if it doesn’t work out. Nobody wants to take that kind of gamble in the salary cap era.”

The Sharks talk comes a day after the Edmonton Oilers announced they’re out of the running for Heatley and have moved on.

Indications are the Heatley camp informed Oilers GM Steve Tambellini during a B.C. Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremony last weekend in Penticton that Heatley had no intention of going to Edmonton. Heatley and Tambellini were both in Penticton to take part in festivities.

It’s believed Heatley, who played in a charity hockey game, informed Tambellini there was no sense in the Oilers continuing to pursue the trade after several attempts to convince Heatley to come to Edmonton failed.

Speaking to a San Jose newspaper Friday, Wilson was non-committal about moves.

He told reporters during his state-of-the-union address following the Sharks’ first-round exit that he was going to make changes in the off-season, but Wilson has a reputation as a “tire kicker” when it comes to trades.

Heatley, however, would be willing to waive his no-movement clause to go to the Sharks.

“This is all up to Doug Wilson. If he wants to make big changes, this is the biggest one he can make,” said a league executive.

Here's coverage dating to when Heatley initially requested out of Ottawa.
Brent Wallace fronts the piece, thanks to our friends at TSN...