Ice Scoopz: Heatley Rumors Heating Up

*-> As Many Ottawa fans anxiously and patiently await to see who may replace their star winger , GM Bryan Murray continues to work the phones. The Heatley Trade Countdown has begun as each day draws closer to the NHL Entry Draft next Friday and with July 1st Free Agency also creeping up. The rumors are heating up as most analysts believe Bryan Murray will trade Heater before the July 1st free agency period. Why? Because it only makes perfect sense. If the Sens decided to stupidly wait past July 1st they will be forced to pay Heatley a 4 Million$ bonus which although doesn't effect the cap it does however cost the team a large sum for someone who doesn't want to play there. Another key point is that Heatleys 7.5$ MIL salary could be used to lure in an impact free agent and we all know that most of the big names are gone within a two week period. So why would Bryan Murray wait to move Heatley? He's not. Realistically the GM would love to get rid of Heatley before or during the draft so not only could they get an impact player but also a draft pick in return. It isn't all positive for the Sens ether. Because Heatley decided to leak his trade request to the media he has handicapped Bryan Murray. Murray's fellow GM's now know Heatley wants out and the Sens are going to be forced to deal him quickly because of July 1st and the Draft. This should lower his price just a little. On top Heatley has a no movement clause which allows Heatley to choose his destination, so Heatley goes only where Heatley wants. Another discount. Finally Heatleys massive contract will have to be absorbed somehow and the Sens will almost certainly be asked to take cap space in return. thus reducing Heatley's value even more. So that's what we know so far.

What will Bryan Murray be able to do? Where will Heatley land? Who will Ottawa get? We know that Heatley would realistically like to play out West so the Western conference is most likely where he'll end up. If they did manage to swing a deal in the East we do know that "career stop" Ottawa, and "memory lane" Atlanta are out of the picture. Today Brian Burke of the Toronto Maple Leaf's said his club will 100% be out of the Heatley trade due to the way Heatley handled himself during this whole mess. Count T-dot out. The rumored teams so far have been Vancouver who most likely will lose their only offence the Sedins, The Calgary Flames, The Edmonton Oilers, and the LA Kings.

The Vancouver Canucks are in a dangerous situation in which they might lose 75% of their offence come July 1st. The Sedins don't appear to be happy with the offers so far made by the Canucks. This leaves Vancouver with a very large hole to fill on an already offence dry team. Heatley would be an instant fix and would cost less than resigning both Sedins. The rumored player to be traded in return is Loungo which personally I find ridiculous. Why would they deal a franchise goalie and the captain? I say the more likely scenario is Ottawa gets Michael Grabner or Jannick Hansen and their 1st or 2nd in this years draft. They mad be out an impact player now but they restock their system with a pretty decent prospect and a late 1st round pick before going out on July 1st and spending that 7.5$ MIL without having to worry about any trade back salary.

The Calgary Flames also have been mentioned several times mainly I believe because Alberta is Heatleys home province. Heatley for Phaneuf is the on going rumor in the hockey world but like the Vancouver rumor, I highly doubt Calgary would part with such an impact defenseman who is likely going to be a cornerstone in their franchise for years to come. It doesn't make sense. Also Calgary has major cap issues and would love to resign Mike Camalleri. Unless Ottawa is willing to take Olli Jokinen and Corey Sarich's salaries in return this deal won't work. It doesn't make sense for Ottawa as they already have a number one center and several aging old style NHL defenseman as it is.

The Edmonton Oilers another Alberta connection team could have what it takes to get a deal done with Ottawa. They have been seeking a star player for quite sometime and a hometown player would be sure to put the fans over. Rumor has it that Edmonton has a deal on the table that includes Sheldon Souray, Gilbert Brule and Patrick O'Sullivan for Heater. Another name being thrown about is defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky. Ottawa would really love to have that powerplay quarterback and their salaries would almost offset but I think Ottawa is looking for a player for the top line and secondary scoring before they touch defensemen. Edmonton also has struggling should have been star Robbie Shremp and most likely bust Gilbert Brule they may be able to toss in as a throw in to per sway Murray.

L.A is another interesting scenario which has been all over the media just simply because they have a deep talent pool of prospects and a boatload of cap space. The deal rumored so far is Alexander Frolov and this years 2nd for Heatley. It's a decent trade but I think Ottawa is looking for something else like a throw in or a prospect to weigh the scales a little better. Ted Purcell should be the prospect is after but defenseman Vyacheslav Voinov is the more likely prospect to be thrown in due to LA's defensive logjam.

Later tonight I'll have a few more rumored destinations as the evenings usual Ice Scoopz and a recapped of yesterdays news.