Heatley trade and other news
Dany Heatley is now a member of the San Jose Sharks. However, the Sharks also got a pretty good deal, which is a statement that makes sense if you’ve been following. San Jose managed to return nearly the same amount of salary (they got about $0.2 million more at Heatley), and they only had to give up Jonathan Cheechoo and Milan Michalek to get it. (SJ also gave up a 2010 2nd Rounder in exchange for a 5th Rounder.) Michalek and Cheechoo bring grit and determination to Ottawa, as well as offensive potential. Cheechoo is certainly not the 50-goal scorer he once was (emphasis on the time), but Michalek is a star in the making. As for the Sharks, one thing is for sure: they became an even bigger threat to capturing the Pacific, and maybe even the President’s Trophy again. Interestingly, the last team to win the President’s Trophy in consecutive seasons also won the Stanley Cup for the second time. Can you name the team?
Recent NHL Roundup:
The Vancouver Canucks found several replacements for Mattias Ohlund: they traded with San Jose for Christian Ehrhoff and Brad Lukowich, as well as signing UFA Mathieu Schneider. For the Sharks, who brought back a couple of minor leaguers, the deal was seen as little more than a salary dump. For the Canucks, however, the move makes their defensive corps stand up to the revamped blue line of their biggest division rivals, the Calgary Flames. Vancouver also locked up star goalkeeper Roberto Luongo, signing him to a 12-year deal worth $64 million.
The Tampa Bay Lightning signed Alex Tanguay to a one-year deal. With Tanguay to Vincent Lecavalier’s left and St. Louis to his right, the Lightning have an incredible front line, and they’re all from Quebec.
Peter Forsberg was included in the 2010 Olympic roster invitee list for Team Sweden. He plans to play this season for the Swedish Elite League Mode, but a strong Olympic performance (and the ability to stay healthy) could mean a return to the NHL.
While the Pittsburgh Penguins await the construction of the new arena they will use in 2010-11, The Consol Energy Center, a couple of other teams are also pushing for a new building. New York Islanders are trying to get their Lighthouse project approved, and the Edmonton Oilers estate has also announced plans to buy land and build.
The Oilers also signed unrestricted free agent Mike Comrie to a one-year deal. Comrie, an underperformer last season for the New York Islanders, was traded at the deadline to the Ottawa Senators, where he managed just seven points in 22 games. He is a delicate player: a lot of positive points, but a real hit for inconsistency.