Thrashers

By BarryJ

December 30, 2005 04:26 PM | Link to this

Is Heatley “DESERVING” of cheers???

The knife still feels like it is in my back…

John, I’m still confused by the double-talk…First you state Heatley “requested” the trade—but then you turn around and state it was a trade the Thrashers were “forced” to make???

This is nonsensible and you can’t have it both ways—unless there is more information to the whole story than what’s been printed (Ya’ think?!)…I think we the fans are entitled to know the FULL STORY behind what happened in the dead of night as Don skulked around and made his “decisions” while the fans were completely in the dark about the literal face and future of the franchise…

And now reading that Heatley can do all of his community-service time in Canada (wink-wink!) as opposed to Atlanta, well, that’s just salt in the wound…

Is there no honor in Heatley? Is there any shame? And who would have thought that athletes would receive preferential treatment? (Gasp!)

Atlanta was duped on numerous levels over this whole debacle.

Then again, as a Thrashers fan, I’m used to such treatment.

By Alison

December 30, 2005 04:26 PM | Link to this

Dany should have been made to do at least half of his community service in the town that stood behind him after the accident. Many kids in the Atlanta area could have benefited from such a speech. So he isn’t a Falcon or a Brave, his name was still in the press and everyone knew what happened. As for my reaction to him on Monday, it will be the same as it has been since he left town. I will boo loudly, but cheer for my True Blue Thrashers in Blueland even louder! May we beat the Sens (or at least take a shot at Dany).

By BarryJ

December 30, 2005 04:28 PM | Link to this

Ooops, I apologize John (Manasso)…”I” was the one who was confused—although I’ve rad the same double-talk by John in his writings on the subject.

I should have directed my double-speak question to Guy Curtright.

Guy?

By Thrashy Thrashy

December 30, 2005 04:31 PM | Link to this

BarryJ,

If Dany Heatley had a “real” job, he could’ve just quit and walked away to start over somewhere else. He had to ask for a trade in his line of work. I don’t have a problem with Heater. I’m glad he’s doing well in Ottawa. I would’ve loved to have seen him have that success in Atlanta, but it wasn’t in the cards. If you can’t handle the fact that he’s not on the team, fine. Remove the “knife from your back” and get over it.

By Russ

December 30, 2005 05:01 PM | Link to this

I personally think Heatley’s request had a whole lot more to do with being closer to home and closer to a Stanley cup than the emotional baggage he would have had to deal with in Atlanta. When he came back after the accident, he certainly didn’t come across as a guy who was an emotional wreck and couldn’t handle it in the interviews I saw. I think that was a convenient excuse to get away from a franchise he didn’t think was going anywhere. Hopefully the Thrashers prove him wrong. My advice to the Senators: You are looking like the team to beat this year, just make sure you skip Dany when it’s his turn to drive the carpool home after a game.

By Ryan

December 30, 2005 05:42 PM | Link to this

Who cares Guy! I don’t. The Thrashers are trying to win some games and get back in the race. Folks they are doing it without Heatley. The more time spent on this topic shows the team little support (in that they cannot do it with out him). If Heatley needed to go then let him go …move on. He was out for half the season, the Thrashers were in first place in the division…he comes back they win 2 games the entire month of Jan (which basically took them out of the playoffs). They have won without him and they are winning without him now. He should be respected for the season he is having but I don’t need to take a banner to Philips to do it. Besides there are two games in the mean time that are worth mentioning. Come on Guy! The Thrashers are putting together a good run right now lets chat about that.

By BarryJ

December 30, 2005 05:45 PM | Link to this

I’d more than love to “get over it”…I really would. You think I enjoy this? I’ve only read about it approximately four times in the AJC since the dubious event which took place earlier this year. Heck, every time we play Ottawa, this topic will come up.

However, Don did something that will have us face “it” at least four times every year (not including playoffs—well, if we even make it).

Why, Why, WHY didn’t Don trade him to the farthest outpost (away from Atlanta, anyway) in the NHL realm so the reminders wouldn’t be so, shall we say, often?

Why on earth would Don Waddell trade him to an EASTERN CONFERENCE team—with the possibility of having to face him in the playoffs a distinct possibility?

That, good folks, is unacceptable. Indiana Pacers GM Larry Bird is attempting to trade Ron Artest—but he has stated he is considering Western Conference teams (Indiana, you see, is in the Eastern Conference).

What a simple, simple concept. You don’t like Atlanta, Dany? (after ALL we’ve done for you?!); that’s fine—but I’m not gift-wrapping you to a conference opponent, for Heaven’s sake! Think, people!

I’d rather send you to San Jose or St. Louis for a ham sandwich as opposed to seeing you on a regular basis.

And if Dany-boy didn’t like it—that it wasn’t “fair”, well then my good friend, you DO have OTHER OPTIONS than playing in the NHL…Try Europe again, if you’d like. After all, we IN FACT hold your rights for a time, so who’s in charge here? I dare say that particular ‘inmate’ ran the asylum (no pun intended—but it was a close one, wasn’t it?). Dany was a restricted free-agent and we held all of the cards—yet folded at the very first opportunity.

Typical bass-ackwardness of Don Waddell, too.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: We got “Hossa’d” on this whole deal.

By Chipster

December 30, 2005 06:51 PM | Link to this

Let me make this clear in no uncertian terms.

1. I sincerely hope that Dany finds some peace in Ottawa. I would imagine that moveing so much closer to the Snyders is a comfort.

2. Waiting as long as he did to request a trade was complete and absolute garbage. The man who was destined from the moment his named was called on draft day to wear the “C” for the T-birds decided to repay Thrasherville by taking away the chance to make the best possible deal for him.

If I could get the day of work, I would stand up and loudly boo the ingrate each and every single time he so much as sniffed the puck.

I hope that those who are there make this fan proud!

By Guy Curtright

December 30, 2005 07:55 PM | Link to this

Thanks for the feedback. I think that Marian Hossa was as close to Dany Heatley as Don Waddell could have gotten, so it made sense to make a deal with Ottawa even if the Senators are in the Eastern Conference. I said it was a deal the Thrashers were forced to make because the team was very concerned that Heatley wouldn’t bounce back fully playing in Atlanta.

By thrashersfan

December 30, 2005 11:17 PM | Link to this

I’ve struggled with this all season. I just wish we knew the truth. Did Heatley “ask” for a trade or demand a trade? Well, he obviously had no intention of playing in Atlanta - ask or not, in the end it was a demand. I just want to know if Waddell had other options like refusing to trade him. Was that a reasonable option? I don’t know, but we owned his rights and perhaps more time should have been spent talking Dany into staying. Did Waddell have teammates contact him? What really transpired? I know that if Dany wasn’t going to play here then Don had to make the best of it. But, should he have said no and tested Heatley’s resolve? Maybe he did and we’re just not privy to that. I’m guessing Dany would have held out, moved to Europe and played there. I’m sure the emotional baggage would have been difficult for Heatley but I just couldn’t help being surprised and disappointed in his decision after the overwhelming support his teammates, the Thrashers’ mgmt and fans provided him. That’s what bothered me the most. I may not boo him but I certainly won’t cheer him.

By Bob

December 30, 2005 11:18 PM | Link to this

He’ll get booed, just like every guy who demands a trade out of town gets booed when he comes back.

What makes it worse for Heatley is how he went about it. I lost all respect for the guy. It’s telling of his character that none of the community service has been performed here. Hossa was a heck of a return, just cost us more, hopefully doesn’t handcuff us from signing Savard or a comparable center.

By LAC

December 31, 2005 06:52 AM | Link to this

Heatley… Total SCUMB-BAG… When you do what he did, and have the city and Thrashers stand by him as they did and run away like a COWARD you should not only get BOOED, but Thrasher players should run at him ALL AFTERNOON, PUNISH Him HARD.

He has smurked his way since leaving town and it clearly shows he has NO GUTS and NO REMORSE over the accident.We all make mistakes, like a guy with a railroad here, ran a signal 10 years ago, two killed, but did he request a trade to another RR or leave town… NO, he picked up the pieces and moved on. We ALL make mistakes, little and BIG, but when you have to run from them because you “say” it is too much for you, you show you are nothing more than a little snotnosed wimp, Heatley I hope you get a puck in the face, You deserve IT !

By briton

December 31, 2005 09:14 AM | Link to this

It’s over with! The fact that Heatley was traded and where he was traded cannot be changed. I have a feeling that the same people who have vowed to boo Heatley would have been the same people who would have booed Dany and demanded he be traded if he stayed in Atlanta and did not produce up to his potential. You can’t have it both ways, when the trade was announced there were plenty who were happy with who we were getting in exchange especially since they thought Dany was “damaged goods.” Put your energy into cheering on the Thrashers rather than booing Heatley.

This wasn’t a typical trade request where the reason was money or dislike of one’s team, etc. There is a human side of this trade and the issues surrounding it. All of you who have obviously been fortunate enough not to face such tragedy in your life should be thankful. It takes more strength and courage to realize what you need to do to get on with life and actually do it than any of you could imagine, especially if there is are feelings of guilt involved.

Everyone has been completely obsessed with this issue since it happened. It makes it way into just about every posting, every topic. Yes, Heatley is gone and yes Waddell granted him the trade, we all know this. Stop obsessing over what took place in the past and focus on the team right now and it’s future.

Don’t cheer for Heatley, but you don’t have to boo him. Not to mention that it’s going to make Atlanta fans look like heartless souls, and the hockey world doesn’t think too highly of us anyway (described recently as the most fair-weather fan market). Put your efforts into cheering on our team instead, they’re going to need it, especially at this game.

By the way, Heatley had a good bit of community service done before the trade so that didn’t have to do with where it was performed.

By briton

December 31, 2005 09:29 AM | Link to this

Oh, and another thing…I don’t think any of us have the right to decide if Dany is remorseful over the accident. The Snyders lost their son and at the same time have been the epitome of class, strength, and forgiveness, and so much more…standing by Dany through everything and understanding his desire to be traded. Are you going to tell them that they are wrong in their feelings towards Heatley? Some of the statements made on here really tarnish the lessons and humanity that came out of this tradedy.

By Bob

December 31, 2005 10:06 AM | Link to this

Briton, I think you’ve got some misconceptions here. First, Mrs. Snyder herself was quoted here in the Atlanta paper that they had not talked to Heatley since the trial ended. Heatley hasn’t called them once since they stood up for his punk butt and kept him out of jail. What a great guy.

Second, he has performed none of his community service here in Atlanta. None of it. All done up in Canada where he’s a hero. There’s some real guts for you, what a man.

The way he handled this whole mess and the way he acted the first day up in Ottawa, taking a backhanded swipe at Atlanta fans, the way he’s not called the Snyders, the way he’s done none of his community service here, shows me that there was more to this than just boo hoo, I can’t stand to be there. He used this as an excuse to get out of what he thought was a losing situation. That’s why he gets the extra loud boo from me. He used this situation to better his hockey career.

If he was calling the Snyder’s regularly, showing his true thankfullness for all they did for him, if he was in Atlanta schools talking to the kids who were aware of what he did, I’d have respect for the guy. but he hasn’t done that. His actions show what kind of character he has, or lack thereof I should say. That’s why he’ll get booed, and booed loudly.

By Scott

December 31, 2005 10:07 AM | Link to this

I simply can’t believe the comments from some of the Thrasher fans in this city. What exactly did we do for Heatley? As a city, we prosecuted him when the victim’s family didn’t want him to be punished. How many young people do stupid things in a car and cause the deaths of their friends every year? We call those tragic accidents and don’t prosecute them. He was treated differently because he was a celebrity. Sure we cheered for him and pulled for his recovery. How would we have acted if he came back and played like Dean Sylvester? We would have booed him just like all the others who don;t perform in this city. Don Waddell does something humane in a ruthless business and agrees to trade him and the fans see it as a betrayal. Hossa and DeVries are proven players and no one knew how Heatley would perform. I for one will cheer for Heatley and wish him well. Grow up Thrashers fans and quit acting like a minor league hockey town. Oh wait, that must be what you want since you keep screaming “Knights” during the National Anthem in your Blueland.

By Puckster

December 31, 2005 10:37 AM | Link to this

Give credit where credit is due: Heatley is having an awesome year, and probably the first of many. Hossa and DeVries are having “good” years. The Heatley incident is history. There will be a positive reception from the crowd, then the game will start. The real question is what Thrasher team will show up to play the Sens? The Rochester Amerks beat the Thrashers in Buffalo - yes, the AHL Amerks! Kari let in some soft goals and soft goals have a negative impact on any team. It was soft goals that downed the Thrashers against the Flyers too. I’ll say it again: as long as players the likes of Stefan (# 1 pick) are on this team, they won’t get to and advance in the playoffs!

By Brian

December 31, 2005 11:14 AM | Link to this

Plain and simple who cares about Heatley our focus should be supporting our players. That means cheering any sens that get hurt or hit hard. We as fans owe it to our guys. I can say though i would love to see X put Heatley on his back.

By thrashersfan

December 31, 2005 11:59 AM | Link to this

Heatley’s trade was considered a “blockbuster” trade and blockbuster trades don’t go away easily. They are sometimes analyzed years later and that’s why many fans cannot forget….or forgive. Heatley was more than a great player, even at 22-23, he was the team, the nucleus along with Kovy that we were building around, the complete player that would have immense impact not only on our team but the competition too.

Scott, Don Waddell “did” do something humane, he stood by Dany from day one, brought the team together to support not only the Snyder family but perhaps more so for Heatley. The support he received was unprecendented (I even thought the support itself may have been overwhelming for Heatley to deal with!). You are right, however, that we should cheer our team rather than boo Dany, but I will not look down on those that boo him. Heatley let a lot of people down in this city not the least of which were the people that supported him the most - his team.

By Other Mark

December 31, 2005 06:15 PM | Link to this

I for one will be standing and cheering for Heatley when he comes back. He gave us his very best while he was here and was one of the bright spots on an otherwise nondescript team.

I can’t understand how anyone on here can say that this city stood behing him during his recovery. Everyday in the paper there were articles that he should go to jail, be strung up and made an example of for everyone else in town. The only standing up we did was the night he came back to the lineup much sooner than most had expected. He didn’t have to - but he did.

Having a friend who also killed someone in an accident, I totally understand that Heatley couldn’t recover while still living in this city. My friend couldn’t and she didn’t return to anything close to normal until she left her hometown and started over. Heatley did it the other way around.

As far as his relationship with the Snyder’s - that’s between them. I haven’t seen anything in Philips Arena this year for Dan either - so have the Thrashers also forgotten their old teammate. I mistakenly assumed that the “Black 37” would remain in the corners of the rink forever — how stupid was I?

I appreciate what Heatley did for this franchise and getting Hossa and DeVries in return was a great deal for us. I’ll cheer Monday - you guys go ahead and boo if it makes you feel better.

By briton

December 31, 2005 11:02 PM | Link to this

Thanks Scott and Other Mark for reminding everyone how this city seemed to want nothing more than Heatley behind bars. I for one was disgusted by the way Heatley was prosecuted and persecuted for something that would have been a youthful mistake had it been anyone else. And Bob, never did I say the Snyders and Heatley were in “daily contact” (even though Jake Snyder and Dany do remain friends). The point I was trying to make was that the people affected most by this tragedy felt that Dany was truly remorseful and forgave him. Instead of following the admirable lead that the Snyders set, people have been stating that Dany is not remorseful and does not deserve any type of understanding from others.

What it all boils down to is the trade and the fact that Dany is having an outstanding season somewhere else. If he had stayed and not played well everyone would be jumping up and down demanding a trade. If he went to Ottawa and didn’t get his game back, everyone would be thanking the hockey gods. If Heatley had stayed and had the same season here that he’s having in Ottawa he would be considered a saint…no one would be questioning his feelings about the accident or his worthiness of our sympathy and support.

But see, this particular issue goes past W’s and L’s, rankings and +/- ratings. Dany left for reasons that go beyond competition and business. If I were him and went through what he did in this city, I’d want to leave too. Can you blame him for wanting to go to a place where people appreciate him for his talent alone and don’t treat hockey players like second-class citizens?

Heatley right now is one of the hottest things on ice. He’s battled back from tragedy and injuries to have a phenomenal season for a Canadian team. But go ahead, boo him, we’ll look very classy to the rest of the hockey world. I just hope you put as much energy into cheering for our team. Me, I’ll be cheering for both.

May everyone have a happy and healthy 2006! ~Brit