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New to the Flock: Evaluating the Ducks’ Offseason Additions

By Jason Siders

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Apr 10, 2014; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild left wing Dany Heatley (15) in the second period against the St. Louis Blues at Xcel Energy Center. The Minnesota Wild win 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Dany Heatley, LW #51

Dany Heatley used to be the most exciting scorer in the game. Now he’s looking for a chance to revive his career.

Heatley has seen a steady decline after his consecutive 50-goal, 100-point seasons (2005-06, 2006-07). Just last year, he scored just 28 points (12g-16a) in 76 games with the Minnesota Wild.

While Heatley’s best days are behind him, it’s not out of the question that he can find new life in Anaheim. Our own Teemu Selanne had an eerily similar journey.

At age 33, Selanne managed just 32 points (16g-16a) in 2003-04 with the Colorado Avalanche. Many believed that his best days were behind him. After the 2004-05 lockout, Anaheim took a chance and re-signed him, and the rest is history.

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    • No matter how unlikely a Heatley comeback may be, Teemu’s story reminds us that he may be worth the risk. And it is a small risk: Heatley is only under contract for one year at $1 million. We can only hope that GM Bob Murray has caught lightning in a bottle this time.

    Initial reports suggest that Heatley may find time on the top line with Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry. While it may seem crazy to give top line duties to someone who played fourth line minutes in Minnesota, it actually may work out.

    Getzlaf and Perry have proven that they work best with large forwards even if they aren’t as skilled. At 6’4”, Heatley could potentially provide the net front presence needed to support hockey’s most dynamic duo.

    If Heatley cannot crack the top line, his options are thin. As a pure scorer, maybe Heatley could find time on the third line against weaker competition, alongside rookie center Rickard Rakell. Aside from that, Heatley may be relegated to the press box, or the trading block.

    Best-Case Scenario: 50 points (20g-30a). His confidence and his legs have recovered (somewhat), and he finds himself consistently on the top line with Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry, as well as the second power play unit.

    Worst-Case Scenario: Heatley can’t find any chemistry with Getzlaf and Perry; is demoted to third line before being traded for a conditional late round draft pick. 10 points (5g-5a) in 40 games. Heatley retires at season’s end.

    The Verdict: While the potential for a career-reviving year alongside two of hockey’s biggest stars is there, the odds are still very much against him. In any case, signing Heatley was a shrewd move by GM Bob Murray that could push the Ducks even closer to success.

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