Why Dany Heatley will thrive with the Anaheim Ducks
May 11, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Minnesota Wild left wing
Dany Heatley(15) skates against Chicago Blackhawks defenseman
Sheldon Brookbank(17) during the third period of game five of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center. Chicago won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
On July 9 I thought my Twitter feed would explode. News of Dany Heatley signing with the Anaheim Ducks had just dropped and fans seemed split in many different directions.
Some were excited, some were nervous; some dropped a few expletives to show their disgust. But regardless of what category you fell in, a week from now the Ducks will hit the preseason ice with Heatley sporting the Webbed D.
And I firmly believe the Ducks made a good decision in bringing him in. Hopefully this article will help ease your concerns or support what you already know.
Pride
Jan 25, 2014; San Jose, CA, USA; Minnesota Wild left wing Dany Heatley (15) is chased by San Jose Sharks defenseman
Dan Boyle(22) behind the Wild
Dany Heatley is a former Calder Trophy winner, a four time 40-goal scorer, and a two time 50-goal scorer. You don’t get those numbers by luck and it’s no secret Heatley was once a force to be reckoned with.
When the relationship wore thin in Ottawa, Heatley made his way to the Sharks and then the Wild. In his two seasons in Northern California, Heatley performed quite well missing only two games and registering 146 total points.
In his first season wearing a Wild sweater, Heatley played in all 82 games and registered 53 points, but in his last two seasons he only achieved 21 and 28 points respectively. Those are numbers that are extremely pedestrian of a guy like Heatley and I think this current contract will be a little bit of a wakeup call for him.
He didn’t get signed until a few days past when free agency began and his deal is a “prove it” one. The Ducks gave him a one-year, $1 million contract. That is essentially the equivalent of management saying show me your worth it and we’ll extend it.
At this point Heatley is only 33 and should still have some good years left. His self-pride should be what drives him to perform as well as being on a team that has a great chance of winning the Stanley Cup.
He knows what’s written about him and what the hockey minds say about him. He is out to prove those people wrong and finally capture that elusive Stanley Cup. Those are major driving forces and things that could light a serious fire under Heatley.
Teammates
November 15, 2013; Raleigh, NC, USA; Anaheim Ducks forward
Corey Perry(10) is congratulated by forward
Ryan Getzlaf(15) after his 2nd period goal against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Heatley has played with some good teammates and line-mates but this may be the best line he has ever had. Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry are true gamers and give it night in and night out. They also recognize the opportunity in front of them this season and will make sure Heatley doesn’t take a night off.
Last season, Dustin Penner was the other wing with the Getzlaf-Perry pair until the trade deadline, and he was able to put up 32 points in 49 games. I can be on board with Heatley maybe losing a step or two, but he has a significantly better skill set than Penner and should be able to accumulate that and so much more.
This team is also the deepest team that Heatley has ever been on and because of that it may give Heatley more space. Whether at 5-on-5 play or on the power play, the Ducks have so many guys that need to be defended well that Heatley could slide through the cracks and make some teams pay.
He will get his chances and this is the kind of system of a high-flying, creative, hard-nosed offense that could perfectly fit into Heatley’s style. If it does the Ducks will look like absolute geniuses.
Nov 3, 2013; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild forward Dany Heatley (15) against the New Jersey Devils at Xcel Energy Center. The Wild defeated the Devils 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
I am not about to come out and say Heatley will score 50 goals. Fans that are looking at that as the benchmark of this being a good signing are going to be disappointed.
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However, view what you have realistically.
Heatley can score 30 goals for this team with ease especially if he gets back to the level he was at two seasons ago. He also has a threat here of not just falling to fourth line duty, but he could also find himself in the press box.
Every day a report comes out about how good all these Ducks prospects look and how they could challenge for a roster spot. Well if they are playing 100% all out and Heatley isn’t, Boudreau will have no problem sticking Heatley in the press box. Boudreau knows he needs to perform and get over the hump and get to the Cup that has eluded him.
Heatley has so many things to play for and so many things pushing him to get back to his original form. And I firmly believe he will and will be an instrumental piece in bringing the Cup back to Anaheim for the second time.