On December 5, the The Ottawa Senators welcome back Dany Heatley for the first time since the two-time 50-goal scorer was dealt to the San Jose Sharks on September 12, 2009.
The 43-year-old, second pick of the Atlanta Thrashers, spent four seasons in Ottawa with 362 points (180 goals, 182 assists) in 317 games.
However, as his role with the club “diminished”, Heatley requested a trade after the 2008–09 season. Things got complicated and it took until training camp, but Ottawa finally sent their scorer to California.
San Jose was not the first planned trade target, as there was a deal to send Heatley to the Edmonton Oilers for a package that included Andrew Cogliano, Dustin Penner and Ladislav Smid, but Heatley refused to waive his no-clause. -exchange.
Eventually, a deal with San Jose came to fruition, with Milan Michalek, Jonathan Cheechoo and a 2010 second-round pick returning to Ottawa.
It was just an awkward situation that left the fanbase in ruins, as a star was clearly finding his way, and fans booed him heavily upon his return as a member of the Sharks.
How long does it take to heal old wounds?
Fifteen years and 95 days, in this case.
The Senators brought back Heatley on December 5, along with Jason Spezza and Daniel Alfredsson, a trio that formed the “Pizza Line.”
The nickname was coined because of a promotion with a pizza chain in Ottawa where fans would get a free slice if the team scored five or more goals at home in 2005-06.
That line quickly forced the pizza chain to update its promotion to six goals, with Ottawa scoring five or more goals in three straight home games to start the season.
Heatley’s return was a good thing for the players, his former teammates, the organization and the fans.
So, that begs the question. How much time will New York Islanders fans need before the organization welcomes back their best player of the last decade?
Jean-Yves Ahern-Imagn Images
Yes, we’re talking about former captain John Tavares, folks.
Although Tavares hasn’t put on an Islanders sweater since leaving the club in free agency in 2018, the hatred and vitriol the majority of fans have towards him is immeasurable.
Although deep down, most fans probably aren’t upset that Tavares chose to play for his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs. The problem is that as the 2018 NHL trade deadline approached, Tavares was adamant that he wanted to stay, and general manager Garth Snow chose to take his captain’s word for it. .
So instead of trading their best player for assets that could help the team in the short and long term, the Islanders lost their biggest asset for nothing.
Since then, every time Tavares returns to Long Island, he gets booed, the volume peaking when the puck is on his stick.
Will there ever be a time when this changes and Tavares can be welcomed with open arms?
The now 34-year-old is in the final season of his seven-year contract and is performing quite well with 28 points (15 goals, 13 assists) in 30 games this season. just scored a hat trick Sunday night against the Buffalo Sabres.
Tavares’ future is a question mark, and no, even if Long Island desperately needs a finisher, which Tavares had and has proven to be, the Islanders won’t be his landing spot if he leaves Toronto.
But, at some point, for an organization that hasn’t had a star of his caliber since… it’s pretty hard to think that there won’t be a day when he gets an honor.
No, his number 91 will never head to the rafters because Butch Goring is there. But the Islanders are creating a ring of honor, and there’s no doubt that Tavares, despite his departure, should be a part of it.
In nine years with the Islanders after they first drafted him overall in 2009, he had 621 points (272 goals, 349 assists) in 669 games.
Tavares’ fifth goal in Game 6 of the 2016 first-round series against the Florida Panthers, a wraparound goal past Hall of Fame goaltender Roberto Luongo at 10:41 of the second overtime period, sent the Islanders in the second round of the Stanley Cup. playoffs for the first time since 1993.
Outside of Anthony Beauvillier’s overtime dagger to force a Game 7 against the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2021, Tavares’ goal is the most important goal since Shawn Bates’ penalty goal against Curtis Joseph in the 2021 playoffs. the NHL in 2002.
Islanders fans, we ask you. How many years will it be before you can put aside the hatred and honor Tavares at UBS Arena? Let us know in the comments or by go directly to our forum.
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