I have already advocated against Heatley on this board, and I'm not changing that stance now. But, his lack of production does not appear to be from lack of effort or heart. That's what it looks like on tv, and that's how it's being reported as well.
It has been reported that he finished rehabbing the shoulder that ended his season early last year (thanks, Vlasic) and then kept on working out hard all summer. Reported to camp in great shape...and just didn't have it anymore.
It is reported that he is loved in the room, and he has certainly taken his demotions to the 4th line with professionalism and maturity. Granted, that's easy to do when you make north of $7M per, but on a team with as many impressionable kids as the Wild has, I would be extremely uncomfortable if it was being reported that he was moping around and whining about his situation.
I'm STILL NOT saying you should want him on your team next season, unless you have an opening on your TV or radio broadcast teams I suppose. But it's not because he's the locker room cancer that he's been portrayed as.
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