Reply To: Heatley situation

[Paulie]

Ottawa Fan,

I understand where you are coming from–and you may be correct, if that's the right terminology–but a no-trade clause isn't about loyalty…far from it!

It's about the player having a say in where he is going to go. The Sens agreed to it, knowing full well that Dany has to accept any such movement. You can rail at Heatley all you want, and I believe you have some credibility there, but don't dismiss Murray's ploys (ie accepting an offer and making it PUBLIC before Heatley endorsed it!).

The problem is that fans look upon these athletes as they do upon amateurs, and expect the player to conform to the team first mentality. Oh wouldn't that be wonderful! Well ask Bobby Baun and any number of oldtimers about loyalty.

Heatley never signed his contract with Clouston as coach. That to me justifies Dany asking for a trade. It happens every day in this NHL.