[Signing] Ducks sign Dany Heatley (1yr, $1mil)

[codynw]

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by boring sean monahan

i used to follow that account, but now i don't.

ftfy

[nmhen]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

A lot of guys you might think they would work like crazy to resurrect their career after getting smacked in free agency... but from all I've heard about Heatley I doubt he's a guy who will do that.

then you haven't heard very much about him the past few seasons.

I wasn't sure what to expect from him when the Wild signed him. I had the perception that he was lazy, self-centered, not great in the room; but he could obviously score. His first season in MN, he led the team in scoring (not saying much, but still). His final two seasons in MN he was terrible offensively, non-existent defensively, until the playoffs this spring, for the most part. Flashes of the sniper he used to be.

But here's the thing: he was outstanding in every other facet. According to media, he was terrific in the room, beloved by teammates, worked his ass off, and then this spring when he got demoted to the 4th line, and then to the press box, he was outstanding working with the young kids on the Wild, who had taken his job.

My opinion of Dany was completely off.

It sounded like he knew he would be lucky to get a job next season. He knows his legs are gone, and his hands are shadows of what they used to be. At 1 year, $1M he's hardly a risk to the Ducks. Anything he produces on the ice is additive, and I'm telling you I believe he will be a great, positive influence in the room - and with the kids, too.

Here's a blog from Russo earlier this summer wherein Fletcher goes out of his way to pump Dany's tires - knowing he wasn't going to sign him.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/264947101.html

[Hackey]

Thanks for sharing. Good to hear a view from someone a bit closer to the player. I think players get generalized way to much by fans when we actually know very little.

[nmhen]

also, according to Russo, Dany reads and enjoys that twitter feed.

[codynw]

Part of me wants to believe it is actually Heatley running that Twitter.

[Phaneufenstein]

old but gold

[jesters91]

Ducks coach Boudreau seems excited about his forward mix, may start Heatley on 1st line

As for who will ride shotgun with Getzlaf and Perry, Boudreau suggested that free-agent signing Dany Heatley would get a long look as a trigger-man on Anaheim's first-line:

For the first time in an awful lot of years, he's not making a lot of money by NHL standards, if he wants to continue playing his motivation should be at an all time high. Thinking that he might be starting playing with Getzlaf and Perry would make me want to be in the best shape of my life, it could be the way to get another five year contract with a lot of money to end his career if he does what he's supposed to do. [...]

His whole life he's been a scorer and he's been a dynamic scorer. I believe you put people in a position to succeed, a lot of times you put a player like Heatley on the third or fourth line, he's going to play like a third or fourth liner. You give him the opportunity and the ball and say "here, let's see what you got" and it won't take long to find out if he's got it or he doesn't...

http://www.thescore.com/news/537998

[Hackey]

Ya I assumed he would definitely get a shot. Put a finisher with those two and hope he puts up some numbers. Not sure how good Heaters cycle game is but I hope he turns it around. Definitely wouldn't mind seeing the Ducks win another one and Heater get his first. Month long party at the cottage if that happens.

[Poe969]

I honestly want to see Heatley do really well this year.

[codynw]

#50in15

[Hackey]

Originally Posted by codynw

#50in15

notDanyHeatley would have a field day with that. Probably skyrocket his merch sales.