Heatley’s value is likely mitigated by the circumstances but the Oilers would still be competing with at least 8 other teams. I can’t see us landing him for less than Gilbert and O’Sullivan. Cogliano would likely be the asking price rather than O’Sullivan.

but I’m not new to Dany Heatley. I’ve followed him for his entire time in Ottawa on NHLCI (and a couple of times in person in Kanata) because up until just over a year ago my brother lived in Ottawa and we talk/discuss/argue about hockey all the time — have done all our lives — and he’s the alltime hometown fan: “my hometime team, I live and die with them”. He’s moved to Toronto now but is still an Ottawa fan, just as he was a Flame fan for a while when he first moved to Ottawa from Calgary. But the amazing thing is that we’ve always agreed on our opinion of DH: heavenly hands, natural sniper, COULD be a superstar in the top 20 of all time, BUT he only shows up in the other team’s end 90+% of the time. On the rare occasions when he decides to play he is dominant..
If you’re looking for a guy like that, go for it. It’s the frustration of a guy like that that gets me. I know the Oilers need a triggerman. I know that if you can get him for players you don’t want it’ll feel like a steal, but that’s a hefty no-move longterm contract to be saddled with. I’m just saying be careful what you wish for. But I think it’s all academic because he can veto any potential deal and I doubt he wants to play where hockey’s a big deal. I’d be amazed if he goes to a Canadian team other than maybe Vancouver if they can’t sign the Sedins. I look for it to be California, but what do I know?

I pray that Katz doesn’t order Tambo et al to get Heatley. The cost would be too great. I don’t have a very good gut feeling for Dany Boy. Nor did I for Hossa. Nylander, Lupul, Oates, nor Dopita. The Oilers have been poorly managed for years and it will take careful planning for at least a couple of years to bring them back to being at least competitive and hopefully a fun to watch contender. In my view Lowe has been pressured into making a number of questionable decisions (over-reaching) due to circumstances, most of which were not of his own making. Katz/Tambo can still try some “bold” moves, but they have to have backup plans, and remain flexible because things always change and seldom work out as planned (e.g. we don’t have to worry what to do about GlenX or Reasoner until after we’ve signed Hossa…Oops, what do you mean they signed somewhere else? Didn’t they know they were in our plans? The snots! How ungrateful and how unloyal of them. Oops, we neglected to take into account that just might want to act in their own best self interests.