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San Jose Sharks acquire Heatley and keep Marleau
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AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Adrian Wyld
Doug Wilson, the GM of the San Jose Sharks, has performed what seems to be another miracle trade. Dany Heatley, the 50 goal scorer, is coming to San Jose.
“Heatley to San Jose” rumors have been floating around the whole summer. However, in every rumor, Patrick Marleau was leaving the team. Wilson has indeed acquired the sniper Heatley, but has not traded away ex-captain Marleau.
Instead, the Sharks will lose Jonathan Cheechoo, Milan Michalek, and a second round draft pick. They will receive Dany Heatley and a 5th round pick.
At first glance, Doug Wilson performed a miracle. The addition of Heatley without losing Marleau was unimaginable to fans and rumor starters alike. At detailed glance, Wilson has still done something miraculous.
Fans will be sad to see Cheechoo, once a 56 goal scorer and Rocket Richard Trophy winner, and Michalek, a second-liner with three 20+ goal seasons with potential, leave the team. However, the Sharks’ line up did not work in the 2009 playoffs and changes needed to be made.
Jonathan Cheechoo was a 56 goal scorer. In 2007-2008, he scored 23. Last season, 2008-2009, Cheechoo managed only 12 goals. True, Cheechoo could suddenly catch fire again, but the odds are against him. The Sharks will certainly enjoy his newly freed-up 3 million dollars in cap space.
Milan Michalek is a sad casualty in the Heatley trade. Michalek has been a reliable second line winger. He was part of the Sharks’ fearsome second line and played well with linemates Joe Pavelski and Ryane Clowe. Michalek’s last three years with the Sharks saw him score 20+ goals and 30+ assists each year. Yet, trading away Michalek was worth the reward: Dany Heatley.
Dany Heatley has broken the 50 goal barrier twice in his illustrious career, in the 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 seasons. Since then, his performance has dropped off a bit with 41 goals in 2008 and 39 in 2009. However, playing alongside superstar assister Joe Thornton should help bring back the lost goals.
Heatley does not, however, have an impeccable record. Much of the recent news about Heatley involve his repeated requests to be traded. He is reported to have an attitude problem and seems to cause drama on his teams. Hopefully Heatley and the San Jose organization will come to terms in a cleaner way.
Dany Heatley shouldn’t request a trade any time soon, considering the Sharks are a strong team and can offer Heatley a real chance at the Cup.
Doug Wilson is a great GM. Acquiring Joe Thornton, Dan Boyle, and Dany Heatley on one team is a feat to be respected. However Wilson will not succeed as a GM until his players bring home the Stanley Cup.
Best of luck to Dany Heatley and the San Jose Sharks. Hopefully a forward of Heatley’s caliber can stop San Jose from choking and bring home the glory.
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